Other States - Orissa   

Theatre loses charm

Photo: Lingaraj Panda

A scene from a play is being enacted at Kabisurya Rangamanch in Berhampur. —

BERHAMPUR: Theatre is no more a popular hobby among the youth of new generation in Orissa.

Many theatre activists feel it would affect the future of amateur theatre in the State. Cultural activist, Asit Mohanty said gone are the days when rehearsing a play and enacting it was a mode of entertainment for the youth of any locality.

“Even enactment of plays with proper serious rehearsal has become a dream at educational institutions,” he said. Earlier the annual functions of educational institutions were being awaited by the budding actors of the institutes to show up their skills as actors.

But now hired orchestra troupes have started to replace these plays as cultural programs, Mr. Mohanty said.

Noted stage director, Raju Padhi also has a similar feeling. According to him enactment of plays was regular event in most localities in urban areas of the State.

The seniors of the localities were promoting it to enhance unity among the youths. But this trend has gone down. “Pressure of career building and inflow of modern form entertainment like TV and cinema has detached most youths from taking up theatre as a hobby as it involves extra devotion and time,” said Mr. Padhi.

According to Mr. Padhi, amateur theatre now survives in Orissa due to competitions and drama festivals. But the welcome change is that the number of these drama festivals and competitions has increased in recent years. Around seven drama competitions are being held at places like Rourkela.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Theatre loses charm
Master sand sculptor comes out to create awareness on global warming
Demonstration organised
New HC Judge sworn in
6 jail inmates appear for BSE exam
OASA seeks pay parity
Maoist attack disrupts movement of trains
HC drops contempt case against two officials
HSC exam commences
B-School convocation conducted
Property of 45 cr. looted last year
‘Air India offer to commuters’
Suspected cases of chikungunya

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu