It may be stated at the outset that according to the records of this regional cultural center, there is no formal document containing a written theater revitalization plan. Around the year 2001, a presentation was made before the Planning Commission by one of the directors of the Zonal Cultural Center (probably the then Director of West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur). Background about the Theater Rejuvenation Scheme is as follows:
There is a long tradition of folk theater in our country, almost every state has 2-3 traditional theatres.
The 1980s witnessed the extraordinary growth of the television industry due to which traditional theater struggled to survive. Many famous theater artists switched to TV serials and films. Theater lost its ancient status and mass appeal. Many forms of traditional theater art are now on the verge of extinction and TV serials/films (for example, Naqal in Punjab; Bhand Pathar in Kashmir; and even Sang) have lost a large number of viewers. It was in this background that the zonal cultural centers began to try to revive the theater movement.
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India accepted the proposal of ZCC to make special provision for theater rejuvenation in the scheme to be implemented by ZCC. Accordingly, funds were earmarked for theater renovation from the year 2003-04. It envisages theater festivals and workshops for the promotion of theatre, including contemporary, experimental and traditional theatre, including street theatre.
Traditional theater
The North Zone Cultural Center has promoted the traditional folk theater of the region in a very effective manner. For example, the Bhand Pather of the Kashmir region that commemorates the lives of sages (Islamic sages or sages) or more contemporary real or fictional figures. Storylines (or paths) are often humorous and satirical, and are an essential component of fake plays, which have been widely promoted as inscriptions on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Representative List, prepared by the Northern Region Cultural Center and submitted to the Ministry of Culture.
Similarly, in the Punjab region, the North Region Cultural Center has promoted Naqal (mimicry), a strong Bhand tradition and a dying art. An impersonator (impersonator, sometimes also called bahrupiya) adopts the persona of a famous person or character and makes extensive use of satire to entertain the audience. Replicas are regularly presented at area fairs and festivals.
Song is Haryana’s folk theater form, which is greatly supported by the Uttar Pradesh Cultural Center by organizing regular song festivals.
Bhagat and Kariyala are folk theater forms of Himachal Pradesh performed in local fairs and festivals. These plays are usually based around character types and are staged in fairs and festivals in rural areas.