TV CHANNELS are taking a big bite off Bengali theatre cake and hence empty rows greet the 42nd All India Prakash Chandra Ghosh Memorial Full Length Bengali Drama Competition.
From one month duration to 15 days, the Bengali theatre has already made it brief in Lucknow. But, they might have to make it briefer for want of warmth.
It’s strange that the city which abounds in art loving B families remains glued to Bengali TV channels to theatre artists’ dismay. They have come crossing 1000 km to get the appreciation, but the ever-dwindling interest is proving to be a big damper.
“Bengalis have not lost their love for culture. Actually, now they have an easy medium to be in touch with the performing arts in Bengali through various Bengali channels,” Says Shankar Bhowmik, cultural secretary of Bengali Club.
Maybe youngsters in the family are not taking much interest in Bengali theatre, he added.
In the name of theatre buffs, it is only the club members, their families and occasionally their relatives and friends who converge at the club to witness the on going drama competition. Though this year organizers made an effort to publicise the drama festival in localities that is dominated by Bengali community but it did not evoked desired result. However, Bhowmik stated that attendance had improved from what it was last year.
Rabin Das, who is a music director for some of the plays, repents the low turn out. “I really don’t know the exact reason. Maybe the visiting teams are not able to put up a good show or availability of the Bengali channels. Whatever may be the reason but for theatre groups this is not a happy indication,” says Das who is participating in this event for the last 20 years.
{{/usCountry}}Rabin Das, who is a music director for some of the plays, repents the low turn out. “I really don’t know the exact reason. Maybe the visiting teams are not able to put up a good show or availability of the Bengali channels. Whatever may be the reason but for theatre groups this is not a happy indication,” says Das who is participating in this event for the last 20 years.
{{/usCountry}}These two things alone are not the reasons for a poor turn out. There got to be several other factors that are equally responsible. “I reckon whatever little audience may come here but they do understand theatre very well. They appreciate the good performances. Hence I feel that participating team must give their best if they wish to attract the crowd,” said Das.
Migration of Bengali families to distant localities is another factor. Says Nirmoy Mitra, an office bearer of the club: “Bengali settlements have dwindled fast over the last 20 years from the places adjoining the Club. They are now settled at localities like Rabindra Palli, Indira Nagar, Gomti Nagar and other places.”
But organizers are optimistic that between January 6 and 8 when the three day grand gala bonanza of Bahirbango Natya Utsav would held in collaboration with West Bengal Natya Academy crowds would surely turn up in large number.