Happy to see it’s revival : DC Baramulla
Sopore : Bhand Pather, a popular folk art of Kashmir, witnessed a revival in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after many years.
The traditional folk theatre of Kashmir called as ‘Bhand Pather’ on Friday saw its revival in Sopore when a group of people played a traditional folk theatre, a mixture of play, music and dance in a satirical style and highlighted the efforts of Nasha Mukht Bahrat Abhiyaan programme at the auditorium of degree college Sopore.
The show got quite applause from the participants.
“This was the first time after years ‘Bhand Pather’ show was witnessed in the town,” one of the participants told Kashmir Despatch.
He said the Bhand community was the traditional folk entertainer in Kashmir in the past and were actively creating awareness on various social issues through their plays but unfortunately, this traditional folk theater stands nowhere now.
Masrat Rasool Kar Mc President who put efforts in reviving this traditional folk theater of Kashmir gave these artists a chance to play their show on the concluding day of Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan program.
She said, “The aim of the revival project is that these (folk) theatre groups should focus on contemporary issues and happenings,” adding that the Kashmir folk theater was dealing mainly with the issues that were relevant in the past.
“This is high time for its revival. The folk theatre is the main source of communication and public outreach,” she added.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar told Kashmir Despatch that it was great to see the revival of Bhand Pather.
“There is a need for the revival of this old traditional folk theatre and the administration will continue to focus on providing them a space in other programs, besides will order their registration in G-portals so that other agencies too will call them,” DC Baramulla added.
She said this old traditional folk theater is very important and people easily understand the messages through the folk theatre or folk songs.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
