Following story illustrates a yet another aspect of Kashmir’s tragedy where press releases from dubious characters living in far off lands generates more headlines than cultural events closer to home
Public apathy killing Kashmir theatre
Afsana Rashid
Srinagar, April 12: Lack of public recognition coupled by absence of professionalism is impeding survival of theatre in Kashmir.“Public recognition is the biggest challenge to the theatre in the valley. Local audience here is not so conscious about the theatre culture,” said Bhavani Bashir Yasir, Director EKTA School of Drama, Srinagar and the first Muslim Kashmiri pass out from National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi.
Yasir blames media and state for such a plight of theatre in the valley.“People in the valley lack theatre-culture but they are not responsible for that. The state and media ought to be hold responsible in the sense that they have not duly recognized it so that it could be held in high esteem by the common people,” Yasir said. Concerned people, he said, are least bothered about theatre festivals and the progress about schools of drama.
Referring to another challenge, he feels, the theatre artists ought to open themselves to gain professional expertise.“Had there been any professional approach, the condition of the theatre in the valley would have been better off,” believes Yasir.
Theatre, is believed to be the strongest medium that has direct impact on the human mind.“It is the strongest medium for building a nation as it helps to develop the mental make-up of the nation. Theatre is an amalgam of drama, music, debate, argument, protest and deliberations. It determines the mental status of the nation,” Yasir added.
Theatre is a social institution, believes Yasir adding, people consider only as a source of entertainment but it is complete social science. “A nation without a living theatre is a dead nation. It helps to generate debate as well as awareness, besides, educating masses,” he said.
When asked about professionalism in the field, he said, “We are working for the same. Efforts should be laid on institutionalization and professionalism,” added Yasir. The director said that theatre in Kashmir has not yet grown. According to him, people associated with the trade are more concerned about their own interests. “Lack of professional commitment prevails, only amateur enthusiasm thrives. The moment professional institutions will not come up here professionalism will not set in,” he said.