The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Curtains go up on national theatre fete

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Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Curtains go up on national theatre fete

Staff Reporter

The role of theatre in exposing social inequities should be revived, says VS

— Photo: S. Gopakumar

Duality portrayed: A scene from Gandhi and Ambedkar, a play that was staged as part of the National Theatre Festival in the city on Wednesday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The growing popularity of television serials has led to the decline of theatre, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has said.

He was speaking here after inaugurating the National Theatre Festival organised by the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and the Department of Information and Public Relations in the city on Wednesday.

“This decline in regional theatre is also leading to an erosion of cultural heritage,” Mr. Achuthanandan said.

Globalisation has turned viewers into consumers of art rather than connoisseurs of art. The role of theatre in exposing social inequities and the trials and tribulations of the masses should be revived if it has to remain with the masses, he said. According to him theatre has played a significant role in the growth and development of various traditional art forms in the State.

Mr. Achuthanandan hoped that the unity and diversity of the country would be highlighted through the plays from various parts of the country that would be staged as part of the week-long festival. “Give and take is an integral aspect of cultural exchange. I hope the festival will achieve this through the presentation of dramas from various States,” he said.

Noted actor and Marathi film director Amol Palekar, who was the chief guest at the function highlighted the resilience of drama despite the onslaught of cinema, television and globalisation. “Theatre is a force that binds the length and breadth of this country,” he said. Hailing from a State known for its theatre loving audience, Mr. Paleker observed that theatre has survived the onslaught of mass media. “Today the success of any venture is governed by the hype that precedes it. This has made us wonder whether drama will survive this onslaught. But I am convinced that theatre will retain all its glory,” he said. According to Mr. Palekar, drama is a “simple chemistry of live performance trying to reach live human beings who have turned up to witness it.” It is this live characterisation that keeps the theatre movement alive and in all its glory, he said. “No aspect of cinema can replace this glorious moment,” he said. The festival will stage eight dramas in six different languages. The festival began with the staging of ‘Gandhi Ambedkar’ a play in Kannada, from Natana, Mysore. The play explores the contrasting personalities of Gandhi and Ambedkar. While Gandhi campaigns for the independence of the country, Ambedkar expresses his voice for the liberation of the downtrodden. More than the histrionic talents of the actors, the drama relies on conversation between the characters. The drama was directed by C. Basavalingaiah. Some of the other plays that will be staged as a part of the festival are ‘Ghumayee’ (Dogri) from Natrang Jammu, Zindagi Retire Nahin Hoti (Hindi), CEVA Drama Repertory Company and Super Market (Malayalam) from Sangeetha Nataka Academi, Thrissur.

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