It's True

Jatra, a popular form of folk theatre in Bangladesh (and West Bengal), are usually epic four-hour-long plays preceded by a musical concert used to attract audiences. Jatra plays are usually performed on stages that are open on all sides in open-air arenas. The stage often had minimal or no furniture or props, it was rather seen as a neutral space, free to be given a meaning befitting the scene. Sets, props and lighting came in much later, when it started interacting with Western theatre in late 19th century, as educated youth started joining the jatra tradition.