Chandigarh, July 28
Good news for struggling theatre groups who are bogged down by the ever increasing hike in rents of city-based auditoriums. To promote theatre and provide a platform for interaction among local groups and those from other states, the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) is throwing open the gates of its outdoor auditorium free of cost at Kala Gram for stage artistes.
Though the centre is yet to make a formal
announcement, the authorities have started contacting the local artistes for this purpose. “We are going to convene a formal meeting inviting the local theatre personalities to formalise the matter,” said Mr Yashwinder Sharma, Programme Officer, NZCC.
According to information available, the authority would provide its open-air auditorium free of cost on Saturdays and Sundays. The NZCC bought a vast collection of lights about two months ago and the decision would allow artistes to make good use of these” said a source from the NZCC. “However, since the lights are expensive, these will be used only as per requirement,” he added.
The NZCC is also planning to invite theatre artistes from outside Chandigarh to perform at Kala Gram. “This would give our local artistes a chance to interact and learn from their experiences,” said Mr Sharma. “It is difficult for groups from outside Chandigarh to arrange everything, right from finding accommodation to booking of an auditorium, he added.
These groups would also be given travel allowance, dearness allowance and an honorarium to perform at Kalagram.
As an experimental basis, the NZCC has invited Gurmeet Sajan and his group from Kot Kapura. The group has staged a few Punjabi short plays. With multiple options like an art exhibition, a theatre and a craft bazaar, visitors would prefer watching a play here. When they go to Tagore Theatre or some other auditorium, and the play does not come up to their expectations, they feel compelled to continue watching it, said Gurmeet Sajan.
The step is also expected to bring theatre close to people. “When a play is staged at a prestigious auditorium, audience is limited and generally belongs to upper class. But Kala Gram is a common man’s recreational ground,” he added.
Besides popularising theatre among common people, the NZCC is also trying to acquaint artistes with technical aspects of acting. “Most theatre groups are not well versed with technical aspects like light and sound system,” said Mr Sharma. With professional guidance, they would be able to make good use of the infrastructure at Kala Gram, he added.
The NZCC has been conducting theatre-related workshops with professionals from the National School of Drama and other institutes in India for schoolchildren.
