The government will take necessary steps to revive the country’s traditional Jatra and circus industries, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said today.
Speaking at a day-long workshop titled “Performing Arts: Circus and Jatra Pala” at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka, he said that these art forms were important not only for preserving cultural heritage but also for supporting the livelihoods of performers, musicians, organisers and small traders.
He said public interest in Jatra and circus had declined over the years due to changing entertainment habits and the growing influence of social media. He urged artists and organisers to focus on quality, creative and family-friendly performances.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said the government planned to organise cultural festivals in all districts simultaneously in December. He asked Jatra and circus groups to submit proposals within five days to participate in the festivals.
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Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman proposed forming a special cell under the ministry to help organisers address administrative difficulties, particularly in obtaining performance permissions.
Yasmin Begum, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, stressed the need to make Jatra and circus more relevant to contemporary audiences. She also said that performances should be tasteful, creative and driven by strong stories so that people of all ages could enjoy them together.
Representatives of 35 Jatra troupes and 12 circus groups from across the country attended the workshop and discussed the challenges and prospects of reviving the traditional art forms.
