Utpal Dutt's Political Jatra and Modern Indian Drama: Marxist Reinventions of Theatrical Tradition.

This article examines Marxist dramatist Utpal Dutt’s engagement with Jatra, the traditional folk theatre of Bengal, during the 1960s to 1980s, focusing on how he modernized the form to communicate his political ideology to rural audiences. Dutt infused Jatra with explicitly Marxist themes, portraying class conflict and anti-imperialist struggles while retaining key traditional elements such as its episodic structure, use of music, and dramatic style. He innovated by introducing complex characters, ensemble acting without star dominance, and integrating music to enhance emotional and political impact, thereby transforming Jatra into a medium for political propaganda and artistic expression. Although Dutt’s reforms faced resistance from commercial Jatra owners and his political Jatra largely declined after his departure, his democratization of the form and narrative techniques continue to influence contemporary practitioners. The article situates Dutt’s work as a significant contribution to modern Indian theatre and Marxist political theatre, demonstrating the potential of folk forms in mass political communication.