NEW DELHI: The Theatre Olympics, taking place for the first time in India, has failed to impress drama lovers in Delhi, who have been watching the National School of Drama’s (NSD) Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) all these years.
The NSD had been organising BRM every year, with dramatists from all over the country participating in it. This year, it decided to organise the Theatre Olympics instead. The event is being held in 17 cities across the country, including New Delhi, where it is being held over 51 days, from February 17 to April 8, in four phases.
According to NSD students and alumni, unlike the Olympics, the Mahotsav used to attract many. However, “mismanagement, poor quality plays and lack of promotion” have affected the Olympics.
“At the time of BRM, the whole school used to get packed, with performances going on all around. That was something else!” said Naina Singh, a student of NSD.
“A few days ago, only three persons, including me, were watching artists perform in the open amphitheatre,” she recalled, and added, “The low footfall must be disappointing for the artists.”
“The organisers haven’t promoted it well. Those who are associated with the school know about the fest, but what about others? They don’t have a clue that there’s a Theatre Olympics being held in NSD,” Naina said.
Theatre Olympics is an international non-government organisation established in 1993. The ongoing theatre fest in India is the 8th Theatre Olympics. With a budget of `51.81 crore, it was inaugurated by vice president Venkaiah Naidu on February 17 at the Red Fort.
“Firstly, there are no good quality plays. The selection committee has called unknown artists, barring a few. I myself have only seen some three-four plays. Many are repetitive plays; why would people come to watch them again? Secondly, who would come for all 51 days? People are not even aware how the whole event is distributed into phases of 12-15 days,” said Shahid Bora, an alumnus of NSD.
“Look around, there’s no energy here. People were emotionally connected to the Mahotsav. It would have been better if the school had organised both fests together. At least people could have come for the Mahotsav, have learned about the Olympics and stayed back” he added. The situation is no different in other cities. Shaheen Shaikh, a theatre artist from Delhi who had gone to perform a play in Kolkata, said, “No one knew about our play there. In a 900-seater auditorium, only 50 people turned up to watch the play.”
Sajjan Kataria, a drama enthusiast who had come from Punjab, said, “It’s really important for a performer to have an audience around. It gives them a sense of responsibility and a push to perform well.”
The Sunday Standard tried contacting NSD director Waman Kendre by email. However, he did not reply.