Prasanta Kumar Patnaik, a famed personality in the street play terrain of the state, was born in an illustrious family of professionals in Bankoi Village of Khordha district in Odisha. With an earnest desire to succeed in street plays since childhood, he has received the state-level Yuva Shilpi Sanmaan for his contributions in this field. A post graduate in drama from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidalaya, Bhubaneswar, his chief aim is to promote and enrich street plays. In a tête-à-tête with Chaitali Shome of Orissa Post, he discussed his accomplishments and purpose in his artistic pursuit.
What inspired you to pursue a career in theatre?
My lecturer Kuber Biswal played a crucial role in my artistic pursuit. He was a huge inspiration along with actor Bijay Mohanty and Ajit Das, who were my lecturers at Sangeet Mahavidlaya. They supported and guided me to learn and pursue theatre art. Currently, I am into script writing and direction. Lack of time has kept me out of acting these days.
How do you differentiate street plays from other modes of acting?
I strongly believe in the proverb ‘Almost all creativity involves purposeful play’. Basically, Street play or theatre is more audience oriented where you work in close proximity with a live audience. This is different from what happens in movies or soap operas. However, street play needs to be bold, upright and performed brilliantly. Street plays necessarily need to have a social message.
Tell us briefly about your artistic journey?
Firstly, I had worked in a theatre group called Satabdira Kalakar for 8 years from 1985 to 1993. During this time, I along with my colleagues opened a theatre group called Natya Chetana. Later, I gravitated towards street theatre. I have also acted in movies like Chakka Bhaunri, Bhuli Huye Na and in tele serials like Maha Jagyna and Panata Kani among others.
What is the chief purpose of your street-play group?
My registered group Popet (1997) performed its first play A Re Aaakar Aaa. This play aimed at spreading awareness on necessity of education for aged people. This play was a huge hit and my group enacted it in 13 districts: Puri, Phulbani, Koraput and Bolangir among others. However, the most successful show of my group was Bahut Dina Pare Milichi Mukta which was also based on the right to education. We have performed 17,000 shows from the year 2010-until now. The chief aim of my group is to perform street plays with a social message that touches the hearts of people.
What are your upcoming projects?
Currently, my group is performing a street play on OSDMA (Odisha State District Mitigation Authority). The play is on how to safeguard self and others during natural calamities. The play is being currently performed in various places like Khorda, Nayagarh, Puri and Ganjam among others.
Do you have any message for the state government?
Please grant artist status to street actors. They also deserve a pat on the back. More artistes would work if such recognition is conferred on them.
Have you received any accolades for your work?
I had received a state-level Yuva Shilpi award from Neheru Yuva Pratisthan Bolagarh Sanmaan during the Bolagarh Ustav in 2004. However, my true accomplishment would be helping street play to gain the recognition it deserves. It can be a strong medium of communication for the entire society.
