Editor,

Around this time of the year, there seems to be a frenzy on social media of our region about theatre – its main cause being the state’s so-called ‘International Theatre Festival’. The theatre festival’s organisers or committee claims to boost theatre in the state and showcase our talent globally. But how much of it is actually true?

The state draws a huge sum of funds, presumably in crores, to support the art form and artists, but how much of it actually benefits the art form?

Although the organisers sell (I would say sell is the most appropriate term) the festival to the general public and the financer (which is the state) as this massive celebration, in reality it benefits no one, except the few that are involved in organising it.

I don’t mean this to be criticism and skepticism, but actually an observation and concern – concern for the true impact of this hoax of a festival on the actual culture of performing arts, which has not yet taken roots in the state yet, and the enthusiastic artists.

Despite everything that the festival and the organisers promise, the impact is the complete opposite and sometimes paradoxical. Like:

  1. The organisers’ market it as an international festival when in reality theatre barely exist in the state. A state with almost non-existent theatre culture is organising international theatre festival. If not a hoax, what is it?
  2. The festival is sold in the name of encouraging theatre culture in the state, but of the 14 productions in the festival only three are from the home state and all others are from beyond the state.
  3. The most jarring of all factors is, the organisers, masquerading as supporters of theatre in the state, have never produced a single play, skit, or any kind of production independently in the whole of the calendar year, except during the festival (when huge state fund is involved). How come theatre practitioners never actually practice theatre unless they are compelled to monetarily?
  4. The festival is centralised among a few. If in actuality the festival is supported and aims to nurture talents, it would start from schools, colleges and universities of various districts. But it never does. How would one nurture a culture without actually involving the future generation?

I don’t argue against the existence of the festival. I only argue that if a festival has to exist there needs to be:

  1. Shift in focus from grandiosity to actual culture, art and its impact.
  2. Regulation of stakeholders and non-centralisation of core organisers.
  3. Focus on building and nurturing, rather than showmanship.
  4. Involvement and inspiring of root levels (schools and colleges).

In conclusion, I believe festivals are celebration of culture. Without culture, a festival is a mere hoax and a colossal misuse of taxpayers’ money. So, if the money is to boost art and theatre, why not diversify it and support a theatre that exists for the whole 12 months of a year and is not a seasonal conversation?

A concerned observer

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