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| Urgent need for revision of ethics in state theatricals | | | SIDDHARTH | 2/22/2010 11:25:51 PM |
| Jammu: Though another Annual Drama Festival (ADF) of State Academy has concluded with results of the same too having come up, some astonishing facts still remain unread beneath the lines in its conduct that need to be brought up to showcase the ‘real theater’ working here.Interestingly, since the past two years, the top honors and awards in the state’s most reputed theatre competition is clinched by journalists attempting their talent in the field, paving their way to stardom.
This year’s best actor award for an English play performed for the first time in state theatrical history was attempted in Drama Competition and was clinched by Vikram Sharma, a senior journalist of the state whereas another meritorious award went to Pallavi, another working journalist having no background in theatricals.
Neha Lahotra who clinched best actress award is also an apprentice with Vikram in dramatics who had ventured into the field only two years ago in Haadsa; Haqeeqat!, a play written and directed by Vikram Sharma for 2008-09 ADF that romped home all top seven Academy Awards including best production, best direction, best actor and best actress award.
The irony with such attempts done by journalists is that they are not acknowledged by the State Academy because of them having no recognition with the Academy to be eligible for competition in drama festivals.
Though the Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) Zafar Iqbal Manhas entertained some requests on temporary arrangement to accommodate these journalist artists, but still no concerted effort is being envisaged by the Academy to provide these ‘bunch of real performers’ their due space and recognition as artists.
As per the criteria of State Academy, there is a clause in the document of Theatre Festival for Annual Drama Competition that reads “only recognized groups” could apply for the participation in the competition.
And as per the findings of the last two years, the sarcastic evolution of the recognized group on the competing proscenium of the state has brought enough shame and mockery for the State Academy.
The last year’s clean sweep of awards by Viraat Socio Cultural Society, a group promoted by the journalists, but not recognized by JKAACL was glaring example followed by its second venture this year that earned it Best Actress Award besides Second Best Production Award and a historical triple award to one individual in different categories adequately speaking about a need for Academy to revise its theatrical culture.
And a journalist attempting English play and roping home with best actor award too must add a reason for Academy for introspection.
And almost all recognized groups of the Academy failing even to raise themselves to the ethics of drama here may adequately suggest as what ‘drama is being presented’ here to term it as a drama. The Awards list reflects the scenario.
The post script to this irony is that the recognized groups of the State Academy are those groups which are funded annually by the Academy also to pursue their theatrical activities. And all are ‘eating into the provision’ without ado. The theatre competition reflects this also.
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