Exploring Innovative Performance In Badal Sircar's Bhoma And Procession

Abstract

Sircar is a prominent Indian Bengali writer in post-independence Indian theatre who recognized the limitations of both folk and proscenium theatres in addressing contemporary social issues. He developed a Third Theatre movement style that emphasized direct communication between performers and audiences, his plays are performed in unconventional spaces. This approach not only dismantled the barriers present in traditional theatre but fostered a sense of community and shared experience among participants. His "Third Theatre" movement was grounded in a desire to democratize theatre, breaking away from traditional production methods, performance, and engagement with the audience. The present research article explores how Badal Sircar’s plays Bhoma and Procession have an innovative performance and how they reflect his theatrical through working-class people and his audience. His innovative performance represents a revolutionary approach to Indian theatre that challenged conventional performance forms and made theatre accessible to the masses. It also emerges between the social and political turbulence of the 1960s and 70s. Sircar's Third Theatre is a transformative approach to performance that seeks to bridge the gap between traditional folk theatre and the proscenium stage, creating a unique platform for social commentary and community engagement. Sircar's innovations inspire artists who seek to use performance as a tool for social change and cultural identity. It serves as a vital art transformation power, shaping societal equality. It grapples with social, political, and economic discrimination and challenges experienced by middle-class people. Sircar’s plays Bhoma and Procession explore the innovations in performance that characterize this groundbreaking theatrical form, which gains a deeper appreciation for Sircar's legacy and the ongoing significance of his plays in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian theatre. Bhoma is a powerful commentary on exploitation, poverty, and systemic neglect, inspired by the life of a rural farmer, Bhoma, who symbolizes society's oppressed and marginalized sections. The play does not follow a conventional plot structure but instead unfolds as a collage of scenes, monologues, and dialogues that depict the struggles of Bhoma and other villagers. Procession reflects the disillusionment of urban India, capturing the chaotic and dehumanizing effects of corruption, alienation, and societal decay. The play presents a fragmented view of urban life, highlighting the struggles of ordinary people caught in a corrupt and indifferent socio-political system.