C.R. Jambe, a veteran theatre director from Heggodu, has said that theatre was facing tough time in the State.
He was presiding over a function here on Sunday to distribute the prizes of K.S. Kedlaya Memorial Children's Drama Writing competitions organised by the Rathabeedi Geleyaru.
The children's drama book “Tantragarti” by Parvati G. Aithal bagged the first prize while “Nidranagari” by Kathyayini Kunjibettu and “Nanu Mattu Pustaka” by Viddu Uchchila bagged the second and third prizes, respectively.
Mr. Jambe said that the cultural organisations in north Karnataka, which were promoting theatre a few decades ago, were in a state of decline. This had affected the growth of theatre. The present day theatre actors lacked depth in acting, he said.
Although there were many drama schools in the State, they were not producing young theatre directors who could make a mark on the national scene, he said. People were less tolerant these days. Murders for paltry reasons were on the rise in cities such as Bangalore. All this made it necessary to have more cultural activities that would increase compassion among people. “Civilization is dying in big cities,” Mr. Jambe said.