The ninth edition of Muktadhara, a bi-annual International forum theatre festival organised by Jana Sanskriti since 2004, was held in 2022. This festival creates connections among artists and academics from all across the globe on the principles and evolving practices of the Theatre of the Oppressed – a theatre form developed by Augusto Boal in Brazil that enabled people to discuss concerns on their own terms.
Jana Sanskriti was seen, particularly in the post-Boal era, as the main point of reference for all who belong to this theatre school globally. People from all across the globe come and assemble here and get themselves known. The festival programme typically includes workshops, academic exchanges and spectator engagement-heavy performances. The festival doesn’t take any sponsor or institutional grant. Participants from across the globe come on their own and pay a respectable participation fee and thus act as sponsors. The festival is a learning space for art practitioners from Africa, South America, North America, Europe. As Al Jazeera reported in its coverage of the Muktadhara festival in 2013, 'All participants are not professional actors, but all believe in the contribution of art for social change and the possibility to tackle issues like immigration, domestic violence, or food security through theatre.'
At Muktadhara-IX, Forum theatre groups came together from all over India and engaged the people of Kolkata in debate on issues that are local as well as national, thereby reaffirming the idea of theatre as a tool for collective learning. Academics and theatre personalities from all across the globe also participated at this festival.
Check out more theatre festivals here.
How to Reach Kolkata
1. By Air: The Kolkata international airport, better known as the Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, is located at Dumdum. It connects Kolkata with all the major cities of the country as well as the world.
2. By Rail: The Howrah and Sealdah railway stations are the two major railheads situated in the city. Both these stations are well connected to all the important cities of the country.
From the organiser:
From Howrah Station, you could take a train to reach Madhyamgram railway station. Outside, you hail a toto which will take you to Madhyamgram Chowmatha crossing, from there you follow as above.
3. By Road: The West Bengal state buses and various private buses travel to and from different parts of the country at a reasonable cost. Some places near Kolkata are Sunderbans (112 km), Puri (495 km), Konark (571 km) and Darjeeling (624 km).
From the organiser:
From the airport, you can take a bus (any bus which is Barasat bound) to reach Madhyamgram Chowmatha. From there, you get a toto/auto to reach Badu Itkhola more. You go in the lane to your right, and go straight till the end of the road (Hanuman Mandir). From the Mandir you take left, and then follow the road. Our centre is located to the right, just a few steps ahead of the Genetic Engineering College to your left.
Source: Goibibo
1. Make sure you carry light woolens and a shawl to tackle the December chill in West Bengal
2. A sturdy water bottle, if the festival has refillable water stations, and if the venue allows bottles to be taken inside the festival site. Hey, let’s do our bit for the environment, shall we?
3. Footwear: Sneakers (a perfect option if it’s not likely to rain) or thick sandals or chappals (but make sure they are worn in).
4. As you can camp, carry a sleeping bag and mosquito nets/repellants.
5. If you are an international traveller, the festival needs a copy of your passport and valid visa, with two passport size photographs.
6. COVID packs: Hand sanitiser, extra masks and a copy of your vaccination certificate are things you should keep handy.
Thakurhat Road
Badu
West Bengal
India
700128
- Festivals From India is not associated with ticketing, merchandising and refund matters of any Festival organised by Festival Organisers. Festivals From India shall not be responsible for any conflict between a User and Festival Organiser in matters related to ticketing, merchandising and refund matters of any Festival.
- The date / timings / artist line-up of any Festival may change as per the Festival Organiser’s discretion and Festivals From India has no control over such changes.
- For the registration of a Festival, the Users will be redirected to the website of such Festival or to any third party website under the discretion / arrangement of Festival Organisers. Once a User has completed their registration for a Festival, they will receive their registration confirmation by email from the Festival Organisers or the third party websites where the event registration is hosted. Users are advised to enter their valid email correctly on the registration form. Users may also check their junk / spam email box in case any of their Festival email(s) are caught by spam filters.
- Events are marked COVID safe based on self-declarations made by the festival organiser regarding compliance with government/local authority COVID-19 protocols. Festivals From India shall have no liability as to the actual compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
- Users may face interruptions during the course of the live stream due to internet connectivity issues. Neither Festivals From India nor the Festival Organiser is responsible for such interruptions.
- The Digital Festival / Event may have interactive elements and will involve participation from the Users.
newsletter!
||||
Get in touch on hello@festivalsfromindia.com
by GreenJazz Design Studio