Jatra' to shut down in Odisha from mid of this year

Bhubaneswar, Jan 17: Jatra will no longer entertain the people of Odisha as the Jatra Troupes Owner's Association (JTOA) have decided to stop this Odia theatre performance (Opera) from July this year.

Speaking in a press meet, JTOA president Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said the association has decided to stop staging Jatra from middle of this year. Importantly this decision will surely affect the livelihood of 5000 artists.

"But what can be done if the Jatra owner's faces loss. At the same time the expenditure towards paying artists, light, sound, stage and gates is more than the income we get from selling of tickets," he added.

"Another main reason to shut down the Jatra is the restrictions imposed by the district administration. If we get adequate financial assistance from the state government then we may decide to resume it, " said Mr Patnaik.

On the other hand, Pradeep Maharathy, owner of Kalinga Gananatya Jatra troupe said, the decision may upset the jatra lovers. But the losses the Jatra owners had suffere
d in last five years forced the association to shut it down forever. Supporting the statement of Mr Patnaik, he informed that they may continue if the government supports them.

It has been confirmed that around 23 Jatra troupes in Odisha, performing play, music and dance based on stories from mythology and current social issues.

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