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From Boal to Jana Sanskriti: Practice and Principles

Junot Díaz

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Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) has had a profound impact on the development of theatre for development and social change around the world. In India, the theatre company Jana Sanskriti has been at the forefront of adapting Boal's techniques to address social issues in the country. This article explores the evolution of TO into Jana Sanskriti, the principles and practices of the company, and its impact on the Indian theatre landscape.

From Boal to Jana Sanskriti: Practice and Principles

by Sanjoy Ganguly

5 out of 5

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The Evolution of Theatre of the Oppressed

Augusto Boal developed TO in the 1960s as a way to empower oppressed communities and promote social change. TO is based on the idea that theatre can be a tool for raising consciousness, challenging oppression, and envisioning alternatives. Boal's techniques include participatory theatre, forum theatre, and community-based theatre.

Participatory theatre involves audience members in the performance, giving them the opportunity to share their stories and experiences. Forum theatre is a type of participatory theatre in which audience members can stop the performance at any point to suggest alternative actions for the characters. Community-based theatre is a form of theatre that is created with and for a specific community, often addressing local issues and concerns.

Jana Sanskriti: Adapting TO to India

Jana Sanskriti was founded in 1985 by a group of theatre artists who had been trained in Boal's techniques. The company's mission is to use theatre to empower marginalized communities and promote social change in India. Jana Sanskriti has adapted Boal's techniques to the Indian context, creating a unique form of theatre that is both rooted in tradition and responsive to contemporary social issues.

One of the most significant adaptations that Jana Sanskriti has made is the use of traditional Indian theatre forms, such as folk theatre and street theatre, to deliver TO techniques. This has helped to make TO more accessible to rural and marginalized communities. Jana Sanskriti has also developed new techniques, such as the "people's tribunal," which is a form of forum theatre that allows audience members to judge the actions of the characters.

Principles and Practices of Jana Sanskriti

Jana Sanskriti's work is based on the following principles:

Theatre is a powerful tool for social change.
Theatre should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience.
Theatre should be participatory, giving audience members the opportunity to share their stories and experiences.
Theatre should be transformative, helping audience members to understand and challenge oppression.

Jana Sanskriti's practices reflect these principles. The company's work is often participatory, involving audience members in the performance and giving them the opportunity to share their stories and experiences. Jana Sanskriti also uses a variety of theatre forms, including folk theatre, street theatre, and community-based theatre, to reach different audiences and address different social issues.

Impact of Jana Sanskriti

Jana Sanskriti has had a significant impact on the Indian theatre landscape. The company's work has helped to raise awareness of social issues, empower marginalized communities, and promote social change. Jana Sanskriti has also been instrumental in the development of theatre for development and social change in India. The company's work has inspired other theatre companies to use theatre to address social issues and promote social change. Jana Sanskriti has also trained a new generation of theatre artists who are committed to using theatre for social justice.

Challenges and Successes

Jana Sanskriti's work is not without its challenges. The company often faces censorship and opposition from those who do not want to see social issues being addressed. Jana Sanskriti also works with some of the most marginalized communities in India, which can be challenging and dangerous. However, despite these challenges, Jana Sanskriti has had a number of successes. The company's work has helped to raise awareness of social issues, empower marginalized communities, and promote social change. Jana Sanskriti has also been instrumental in the development of theatre for development and social change in India.

Jana Sanskriti is a pioneering theatre company that has adapted Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed to the Indian context. The company's work is based on the principles of participation, accessibility, and transformation. Jana Sanskriti's work has had a significant impact on the Indian theatre landscape, helping to raise awareness of social issues, empower marginalized communities, and promote social change. The company's work is a testament to the power of theatre to make a difference in the world.

From Boal to Jana Sanskriti: Practice and Principles

by Sanjoy Ganguly

5 out of 5