Bhubaneswar: Members of Odisha Natya Sangha and other theatre personalities staged a silent protest in front of Rabindra Mandap here demanding opening of theatres and auditoriums Sunday.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, theatres and auditoriums across the state are lying closed, rendering thousands of artistes and others associated with theatre jobless.
When asked, president, Odisha Natya Sangha, Haren Sahoo said that the sangha had previously submitted a memorandum requesting the government to open the auditoriums and allow the theatre groups to stage plays. “When we did not get any response, we had decided to stage a peaceful sit-in in front of Rabindra Mandap. We hope the government will take a decision in our favour,” Sahoo added.
Senior theatre personality Dhirendra Nath Mallick said, “The pandemic had snatched away the sources of earning from many. As of now, markets, shops and malls have been opened and the situation is slowly improving. But the theatre people are not that much lucky. Restrictions are still there on organising cultural events. The government should realise the problems of those who are associated with theatre one way or the other.”
In other states, auditoriums have already been opened and plays are being staged following COVID-19 guidelines. Here too, if the auditoriums are opened, we will stage plays with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.”
“We are yet to understand as to why the government is not considering our demands whereas all the tourist spots have been opened,” some members of the association stated.
The sit-in was observed for one hour from 10.30am to 11.30am with the participants wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
By kalasanskruti
