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Veteran speak Bhanu Bharti

In contrast, a large number of committed theatre workers engaged in theatre practice in remote areas and a section of NSD’s own graduates have raised voices of protest against the exclusion of non-NSD directors in a festival which is essentially all-India in character.

Habib Tanvir

“We are organising theatre workers from all over India to protest against the anti-theatre policy of the present establishment”, says Prasanna, an eminent theatre director and an NSD graduate, who is spearheading the agitation. A protest note issued by Abhivyakti Abhiyaan (Delhi Chapter) says except for its own graduates, all national entries have been barred this year. However, the school has retained foreign entries, adding insult to injury.”

As a mark of protest Prasanna has withdrawn his production “Acharya Tartuff” from the festival and led a delegation which met Secretary of culture, Government of India.

“The Secretary told us that the policy of only including NSD graduates in the festival is not in his knowledge and he had assured us that he would look into the grievances of theatre artistes.”

Delhi-based stage and film director Arun Kuckreja, says “In its history of 50 years NSD has not produced any great Indian director like Shambhu Mitra, Habib Tanvir, Shyamanand Jalan, Satyadev Dubey and E. Alkazi who have not graduated from NSD. The tag of NSD is not essential to create great theatre”

Amitava Dasgupta, founder-director of Brechtian Mirror feels “The non-inclusion of non-NSD directors is a mockery of this national theatrical event”. Stalwarts of Indian theatre like Habib Tanvir and Kanhaiya Lal of Manipur too are not amused with the present selection policy followed by NSD. “They are very angry and have demanded that the discriminatory policy be withdrawn at once,” says Shahid Anwar, an award winning playwright and theatre activist.

Kanhaiya Lal

Considered to be Asia’s biggest theatre festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsav has not been able to formulate a transparent selection policy. The selection is made on the basis of productions’ CD. It is an irony that when theatre prides itself in live experience NSD makes selection on the basis of CDs. Bhanu Bharti, an NSD graduate and renowned theatre director, suggests that an Indian Theatre Council should be formed to organise this national event.

Nevertheless, the Mahotsav has evoked tremendous response from theatre lovers. There are queues at the counters for advance booking.

The festival will stage 76 productions, including 19 from abroad at six venues. And, all controversies apart, even Prasanna admits, “We support Bharat Rang Mahotsav which has acquired a significant place in the life of theatre practitioners and art lovers.”

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