Bhubaneswar, April 12: Street play, one of the oldest theatre forms and a direct medium to convey a particular idea to the target audience, is losing its significance in Odisha due to government negligence.
Street plays play a crucial role in taking a social message to a large group of people and helping to create a sense of awareness in society.
There are around 100 street theatre troupes in Odisha. But 36 groups are actively performing plays. They are doing well by playing quality plays. However, the government is not taking any initiative to promote the oldest theatre form, said Odisha Pathapranta Nataka Mahasangha president Satrughna Samal.
Besides, the state government has imposed several restrictions on the performance of street plays following which artists are not showing interest to perform street theatre.
A troupe needs to obtain permission from the local authority to perform, he added urging the state government to assist the actors.
Notably, on the occasion of the playwright, Safdar Hashmi’s birth anniversary April 12 is observed as National Street Theatre Day.
