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CHARTING CHANGE Amal Allana, Chairperson of NSD

If Amal Allana has her way, the National School of Drama (NSD) will see changes for the better. Apart from courses in acting and direction, students can look forward to courses in business management that will teach them to improve infrastructure for theatre.

“That requires a different mindset and therefore a different set of students. Those who are good in acting and direction may not be good on the management front,” she says.

She’s worked in theatre for over 35 years and confesses with a hearty laugh, “I’m passionate and crazy about theatre.” The chairperson of NSD says,“Women artistes are evolving a new language of expression. People need to be more aware to judge post-modern plays, which may not have a linear narrative structure; these works are like pieces of modern art that need to be understood.”

“Women directors are not merely writing but making scripts, improvising them for the stage.” Allana’s own works (Erendira, Sonata and Char Chughi) have focussed on women. “In Nati Binodini, set in the 19th century, I chose situations relevant for today. None of my plays have been preachy; I try to explore the female psyche,” she says. If there are fewer plays based on Indian writings, she says, “Until theatre develops into a professional medium, students will prefer to adapt plays that give them revenue. Playwrights want to explore Indian works but have limited resources.”

Nevertheless, Amal Allana has plans for NSD and believes there’s scope for theatre. “We plan to introduce new areas of specialisation, for example children’s theatre, theatre infrastructure and theatre criticism,” she informs. International plays will also be brought to the NSD with super-titles that will help in better communication.

She adds, “There are private initiatives – like the Qadir Ali Baig Foundation in Hyderabad and Ranga Shankara – as well. When theatre is projected as educative and entertaining, we will have lesser number of playwrights moving to cinema and television.”

On the personal front, she says it helps that her husband Nissar Allana shares her passion. “He is a doctor but loves theatre; he produces plays, does the lighting and the stage. He is now working on an exhibition on stage design, which will open in January in Delhi.”

SANGEETHA DEVI DUNDOO

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