Cultural Jatha in Karnataka

September 29, 1979 on appeals to religlous sentiment and communal slogans The Talwandi-Tohra group, whom someleft ideologues see as representing sman and middle farmers, has a rank communalist past. The group has been putting forward the 'Sikhs are a nation' theory and have been demanding political autonomy and taking a stiff stand against religious minorities in the state. This group of the rural new rich now controls two apex bodies, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Pra- bandhak Committee (SGPC). The Badal group, on the other hand, is largely drawn from upper class families and is liberal in outlook. But now for its survival it is abetting fanaticism and using the name of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, who is the fourth sant to LETTERS TO EDITOR SAMUDAYA is a progressive cultural forum active in the theatre movement in Karnataka, Among the plays staged successfully by the group in the last couple of years arc 'Mother', 'Galileo'. 'Belch 'Chasnala' and Tanchama' Most of the artistes taking part in these productions are themselves from the poorer and the most depressed sections of society. The street dramas popularises by Samudaya are particularly popular in the slum areas of Bangalore and other towns and cities of Karnataka.