4. Compare and contrast the role of pandit in the Ramlila to Robert Breen's construction of the narrator in Chamber Theatre or Augusto Boal's Joker figure in Forum Theatre.
The role of the pandit in a
performance of Ramlila, resembles the role of Narrator in Chamber Theater and the
Joker in Forum Theatre. The main expectation for this role is to move the story
along. In Chamber Theater, the Narrator can take several forms in representing
the actions or feeling of characters in a story, depending on the style of the
narrator. As a first person narrator, the performer can serve as a major or
minor character. However the first person style is not utilized in Ramlila
performnaces. The pandit is more likely to take the role of a third person
narrator. Third person narrators are categorized as Omniscient, Limited
Omniscient and Objective Observer. From a third person narrator perspective,
the narrator can report on the story, without necessarily being a part of it.
Although sometimes unnoticed, the
role of the narrator is crucial to understanding a performance. In Ramlila the
pandit performs the recitation which “carries the threat of the story and
regulates what the speech and action of the performers shall be.” (p. 283) Due
to the less strict audience expectations at these festivals, the pandit has to
adjust his recitation to the behavior of the audience. In today’s Ramlila
performances the pandit may use a microphone and amplifier to make sure he can
be heard over the crowds. His main purpose is to narrate the action of the
story while staying true to the verses of Ramayana. The scenes combine varying
degrees of dialogue, action, and recitation. The pandit is essential to
understanding scenes that would otherwise be indiscernible without the use of text.
The pandit in Ramlila also relates
to the role of the joker in Augusto Boal’s Forum Theatre. Boal worked against oppression
through the use of forum theatre. Forum theatre is heavily dependent on the use
of imagery. In Forum Theatre performers involve the audience in the progression
from an “actual” image towards an “ideal” image. The joker in Forum Theatre
serves as a moderator between performers and the audience. The Joker makes sure
the audience and performers stay on task in their problem solving process. In
Ramlila, the pandit also serves to mediate relationships between performers and
the audience. Through the processions in Ramlila, many local citizens like to
join in on the action of the scene in Ramlila. The pandit therefore serves as a
balancing figure to keep the Ramayana story intact and in the proper
progression.
-Brittany Hale-
It is so interesting how theatre in different parts of the world has evolved along similar lines- using the same types of characters to move the story forward. I find the use of 3rd person to be interesting- it is almost as if the narrator is an audience member explaining the story line to another audience member.
ReplyDeleteAll true. Good encapsulation of the forms and functions of the Chamber Theatre and Forum Theatre narrators. However, the essay stops right where I wanted you to begin. "In the Ramlila, the pandit also serves to mediate relationships between performers and the audience." Yes, exactly. All of these narrators create a bridge between the audience, the performers, and the text. They use a lot of the same performance techniques, as you state here. However, their goals are different, right? Are the pandits trying to rouse the audience to critical thought like the jokers? Do they open up the text like the Chamber Theatre narrators?
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