Festive season when part-time stage performers are in spotlight

As the festive season has begun, expect greasepaint to adorn unlikely faces. Welcome to the world of part-time stage performers who are invited to gated communities, cultural associations and other events to perform

An eclectic mix of actors

Homemaker Moumita Dutta wore the director’s hat for the fifth time recently on October 2 when The Bengal Association in T. Nagar opened its 91st Durga Puja celebration with a presentation of Sanatani Mahalaya’s “Dasharupe Dashabhuja” on stage. An eclectic mix of 50 actors spanning a wide age band of five to 65 years made sure the play received a rousing response from the audience.

What makes this theatre group special is that they are all members of The Bengal Association who get to display their histrionic skills during occasions such as Dussehra; the anniversary of Rabindranath Tajore; and a raft of other cultural events. This is a loosely structured group that welcomes anyone with an interest in theatre to be part of its programmes.

“This year, I am extremely excited by the fact that we got to perform at the kolu celebration at Raj Bhavan on October 4,” says Moumita. The outcome of the performance would have warmed their hearts, but the effort did not spare them anxious moments. The 1.25-minute play had to be trimmed by at least 40 minutes to present it before the Governor and his guests. “I had to make sure all the actors got to play their role, and also that the essence of Mahalaya was intact despite the trimming of the play,” says Moumita.

The group has been practising for the last one-and-a-half months. She says a majority of her actors are working or studying, so the practice sessions are scheduled for the weekends to suit them.

Besides performing at the Association, the theatre group takes pride in being invited to perform on other platforms. Last year, many of the actors were invited to perform Mahalaya at Bharitya Vidya Bhavan, and also for a folk performance at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy.

“We look forward to such invitations to showcase Bengal culture and promote inter-state unity and diversity,” says Biplop Bhakta, secretary, The Bengal Association. “We are planning a Pousha Mela-like event in Chennai early next year where our members will receive further exposure.”