My recent trip to Tadoba turned out to be more than exceptional, not only wildlife-wise but I also got an introduction to a whole new world of theatre. The four eastern districts of Vidarbha, a region with more than 30,000 water bodies and densely forested area, receive plenty of rain and has incredibly fertile soil, resulting in three rice crop yields a year. To cope with the huge numbers of WHOLESALE buyers and prospective in-laws (for the matchmaking that always went with the buying and selling of rice), the farmers were faced with a predicament of having to deal with accommodation for this enormous influx of important people to their village. Where would they sleep? A beautifully pragmatic remedy evolved. There would be all-night performances for these precious clients and prospective relatives. And thus began the annual tradition of the 125-year-old Jadi Pati Natak, theatre of the jungle belt.

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