Unlike other parts of the country, the theatre could not gain that much popularity and could not create too much space for itself in Kashmir.
Traditional Kashmiri street theatre, which once occupied centre stage as the most powerful medium of mass communication in Kashmiri society, seems to be dying a silent death.
In ‘Bandh Pather’ artistes dressed in colourful attire move from village to village highlighting social, economic and political issues with satirical overtone, the rulers being the target.
“Bandh Pather spoke against feudalism, autocracy, child marriage and other social evils through seven traditional theatre forms including ‘Gosain Pather’, which highlights the high-handedness of religious heads and their hegemony in Kashmiri society.
“The other ‘Shikar Gah Pather’ focussed on preserving ecology, wildlife and environment. Then there used to be the ‘Raaze Pather’ criticizing the misdeeds of the pleasure seeking kings.Bandh Pather had a single artist form called ‘Laadi Shah’. The lone artist would perform singing in a melancholy tone to lament the vagaries of time and rulers.
“Villagers would also donate rice and other goods to them as Bandh Pather would be usually performed by artistes in villages during the harvest season.”After the arrival of cinema, radio and finally the television, both the focus of the government and people’s interest shifted away from this theatre.
Artists from valley have given their life for theatre. In 1990’s when there was political turmoil , people used to stay back indoors to save their lives while they(artists) used to serve in theatres , without caring about their lives. It’s not only that they should care about their lives it’s about they were very passionate about their art. They used to love their work most importantly they used to respect their people not even caring about their caste , creed ,color or religion . Everyone was used to serve under one roof. Artists in Kashmir have seen everything from rise to fall. But it was only artist who remained consistent whatever the condition was .But with passage of time the artists during pandemic went through a dark phase, not only artist but everyone. Still they continued and emerged as winners.During 1990’s people used to watch DD Kashmir, Doordarshan with their families with fevor as they used to love to watch but with the advancement of social media influence people used to neglect these things intentionally or unintentionally. One time was when people used to love the characters and used to be like them now the scenario has changed even our kids don’t know the life their parents have lived while watching the characters like Ahadraaz, Johny etc etc.What is a theatre?Collaborative form of performing art where usually actors and actresses perform live shows, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage . With combination of gestures , speech songs, music and dance the performers may communicate this experience to the audience. The elements used for art such as Painted scenery and stagecraft such as lighting are used to enchance the physicality ,presence and immediacy of the artists.Who is an artist?An actor who uses the stage for performance based on a real or fictional story in front of a live audience in one take is known as Theatre Artist. Theatre artist is different from TV or movie actors as they do not get second chance to perform. They use songs, musicals, poems, drama, dance, speech to exhibit their art. As theatre artist never uses in their plays a cut which is usually seen in movies.
The theatre artists in Kashmir had to struggle hard from the very beginning not only to establish themselves but also to popularise the theatre here. Unlike other parts of the country, the theatre could not gain that much popularity and could not create too much space for itself here.
Still those associated with it were trying their level best to work hard and move forward. In the process some eminent theatre personalities came into limelight and got appreciation for their work.
The main theatre activity area continued to remain confined to Srinagar city and a couple of towns. Drama clubs were also set up at various places. The traditional folk theatre -”Band Pather”- which was earlier very popular, though mostly in rural areas, too lost sheen with the passage of time
It is hardly visible now. Most senior artists have passed away and their younger generations have switched over to other professions. Dramas of Radio Kashmir Srinagar remained popular for a long time among the listeners.
Later the arrival of Doordarshan squeezed the space of radio to some extent. Theatre in Kashmir despite its limited presence continued to bear the brunt of various emerging challenges on the entertainment front. Today when it is struggling for survival, there is no end to the challenges.
It is hardly visible now. Most senior artists have passed away and their younger generations have switched over to other professions. Dramas of Radio Kashmir Srinagar remained popular for a long time among the listeners.
