National School of Drama director Waman Kendre on Monday responded to a letter by the International Committee of Theatre Olympics (ICTO) denying permission to use its name in an upcoming theatre extravaganza.
Mr. Kendre said that he had written back to sort out any misconceptions that the committee might have had. “I have responded to their letter and have addressed all their concerns in detail. We are waiting for their response and hope that it will be favourable,” Mr. Kende said on Monday.
ICTO chairman Theodoros Terzopoulos had written to Mr. Kendre saying that they would not participate in the event and denied them permission to use the title “Theatre Olympics” and that the committee’s decision was “final, irrevocable and non-negotiable”.
Artistic director
The event is being organised by the Ministry of Culture and the National School of Drama, and the international committee had selected Ratan Thiyam, the then NSD chairman as the artistic director of the festival. However, Mr. Thiyam’s tenure ended recently and invitations sent out to the members of the ICTO and to other theatre companies were not signed by him but by Mr. Kendre. The ICTO in its letter said that according to the principles of the ‘Theatre Olympics’, the invitations had to be signed by the person who had been appointed as the artistic director.
Self explanatory
Reacting to the controversy, Mr. Thiyam said that he did not wish to comment on the issue as the letter written by the ICTO was self explanatory.
The ICTO has 14 internationally renowned theatre directors, including Mr. Thiyam who is the only Indian. Established in 1993, the eight edition of the Theatre Olympics is scheduled to be held in India from February 17 to April 8, 2018.
