Jana Sanskriti

'This book is a small gem...It is at once an engagement with a major strain in political theatre, a document of a vital practice, a meditation on the difference that engaged art can make.' – Randy Martin, New York University, USA'Anyone who wants to understand the usefulness of Boal’s work and its possibilities, especially when removed from Boal’s own projects and from its implementation in a first world context, needs to pay attention to Sanjoy Ganguly and Jana Sanskriti.' – Franc Chamberlain, UCC Cork, Ireland'...makes an important link in the urgency of theater as catalyst for social change, fusing TO with Ganguly’s unique skills as a communicator and effective leader.' – Brian Brophy, Director of Theatre Arts - California Institute of Technology, USA

• Introduction 1. Celebrating the Rehearsal of Revolution - A historical profile of Jana Sanskriti Initial Phases: in the villages Identity or Function? The question of empowerment: Phulmani Propaganda or Collaboration Women and Forum 1: Shonar Meye Forum, Acting and Action: Shonar Meye in Jaipur Women and Forum 2: Forum in the capital city The political power of forum: Amra Jekhaney Dariye 2. Boal's Theatre - The recognition of resource Bakam, an illiterate educated man Emotional Intelligence: volition and desire A parallel from Rio 3. Boal: Poetics as Politics Activism or Human Sympathy? Active Intelligence Agitprop or Liberation? Rationality and Sympathy: The open mind Politics, Action and Acting The Interaction of the Senses: Activating power 4. Theatre as Rehearsal of Future Political Action Forum in Rural West Bengal: Understanding social structures King Claudiuses don't Change, Teachers Do: Power and its applications Towards Rational Collective Action 5. Beyond West Bengal: Other Indian scenarios Delhi Maharashtra 6. Beyond India: Workshop diary Germany: Berlin France: Manosque Germany: Wertpfuhl France: Lille Germany: Halle Kirghistan Are you a Feminist? Bangladesh: Dakar An Alternative Strategy 7. The Politics of Collective Thinking: Scripting power Forum Process and the Politics of Debate The Politics of Context 8. Aesthetics and Ethics: Shaping collective practice Theatre is a Composite Art Creative Relationship: Aspects of process Space for Engagement: Form and shape 9. Reflections and Prospectives A Rehearsal for Internal Revolution Tactics and Strategies Actors' Personal Growth Conclusion Appendix