The once-vibrant tradition of Jatra—folk theatre that once enthralled rural audiences with its music, drama, and cultural depth—is now on the brink of extinction. Yet, in a small mud house in Ramkumar Thakur Para of Kalyanpur West Ghilatli, 63-year-old Jogendra Chandra Das continues his lifelong struggle to keep this vanishing art alive.
Since 1977, Jogendra has remained steadfastly devoted to the Jatra stage, performing for over four decades in countless productions. His repertoire includes classics such as ‘Biday Pelam’, ‘Gariber Artonad’, ‘Nihat Golam’, ‘Nach Mahal’, ‘Kalankini Bodhu’, ‘Raja Debi Das’, ‘Rokte Ranga Hathiar’, and ‘Mathur Pala’.
Known for his versatility, commanding dialogue delivery, and ability to immerse himself in character, he has earned deep respect as a distinguished Jatra artist in his community.
Among his many roles, Jogendra recalls with pride his portrayal of Nawab Jalaluddin in ‘Nihat Golam’, a performance that brought him widespread recognition. He fondly remembers his late mentor Kali Mohan Debnath and fellow performers who once shared the stage with him, keeping alive the golden era of Jatra.
But times have changed. With modernization sweeping across villages, Jatra songs and performances have steadily disappeared from local stages. Despite financial hardship—surviving on a meagre government artist’s pension of just two thousand rupees—Jogendra refuses to abandon the art form. He appeals to the state government to increase the stipend for artists, stressing that without support, the cultural roots of Tripura risk being severed.
For Jogendra, Jatra is not merely entertainment. “It is our heritage, our roots,” he says with conviction. “As long as I breathe, I will fight to keep this art alive.”
His story is not just about one man’s devotion, but about the survival of a tradition that once defined the cultural heartbeat of Bengal and Tripura. The fading echoes of Jatra songs remind us that without collective effort, an irreplaceable part of our folk heritage may vanish forever.
