BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Saturday allowed cultural gatherings and programmes, including melodies, orchestra, jatras, opera, dance performances and theatres, following Covid guidelines. Indoor halls, auditoriums and cinema halls will be allowed to function with 50% capacity.
Jatras and operas were so far allowed with 500 people but now they can run shows with up to 2,000 people in the audience. Jatra and operas were among the worst hit during the pandemic as they could not perform for months because of Covid restrictions.
A notice issued by the special relief commissioner (SRC) said keeping the size of the ground or space in view, an appropriate number of people (subject to a ceiling of 2,000) will be allowed by maintenance of prescribed norms like six feet distance and sitting arrangements. However, jatra artistes alleged that some district administrations are not giving them permission to stage shows.
"It is indeed a great relief that the government relaxed all restrictions for staging jatra shows. In view of the continuing curbs, we have been wrapping up shows by 10pm in several districts. In some places, we had even organised shows during the day, which led to huge losses because of lack of audience," said R K Hiralal, secretary, Jatra Kalakar and Karmachari Mahasangha.
There are more than 100 jatra troupes in the state providing employment to over 50,000 people.
"Performing during the day is not possible as we have a tradition of night shows. Many artistes and jatra owners have changed their profession and some artistes have migrated in search of work," said Daitari Panda, president of the Jatra Kalakar Mahasangha.
"It may take another month for the jatra owners to get ready for shows. It will also take some time to create awareness among the audience to follow guidelines like the ban on chewing paan and gutkha, though it is not impossible," he added.
