Bhubaneswar: Taking a cue from states like Assam and Maharashtra, theatre veteran Dhira Mallick has urged the Odisha government to establish a Theatre Development Council to give a fresh impetus to the state’s theatre movement.
The founder of ‘Shatabdira Kalakar’ and former secretary of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, Mallick said the time is ripe for a dedicated body to steer the overall development of theatre in the state. The organisation has already submitted a formal proposal to the government seeking the formation of such a council.
“The government and the theatre groups in the state are doing many things for the development of the theatre. Yet, there are still gaps that need to be bridged. If we truly want theatre in Odisha to flourish, a Theatre Development Council is the need of the hour,” said Mr Mallick.
Highlighting the theatre groups’ issues, Mr Mallick said, “The theatre groups in the state have been grappling with two major hurdles-financial crunch and lack of rehearsal space. These issues have long been the Achilles’ heel of theatre groups. A dedicated council can step in and address them in a systematic way,” he observed.
Mallick proposed structured financial assistance to help theatre groups put their best foot forward. According to him, a minimum support of Rs 1 lakh should be provided for a single production, Rs 3 lakh for state-level festivals and Rs 5 lakh for national-level festivals. “Such backing will help our productions measure up to those in other states and raise the bar in terms of quality,” he said.
To end the perennial rehearsal space problem, he suggested allotting 2,000 square feet of land to each active theatre group. “With land in hand, groups can build their own offices and rehearsal halls by mobilizing funds from various sources to. It will give them a permanent roof over their heads,” he added.
Mallick also proposed the formation of a Mobile Theatre Group under the council, comprising graduates from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay. This troupe would stage selected plays across the country. “It will showcase Odisha’s rich art and culture on a national platform while opening doors of employment for young theatre practitioners,” he said.
Expressing concern over the dwindling number of new playwrights and scripts, Mallick said, “If we want fresh voices and original stories, we must nurture them. Workshops under the proposed Theatre Development Council can help budding writers find their footing.
He further suggested that the plays staged every second Sunday under the government-sponsored Natyadhara programme in Bhubaneswar should visit other districts which will help bring theater lovers and theatre personalities closer and foster greater cultural exchange within the state. “The proposed council could oversee the selection and scheduling of performances across districts,” he added.
Highlighting the lack of serious research in the field of theatre in Odisha, Mallick recommended financial incentives for scholars. He proposed that aspiring researchers be provided Rs 6,000 per month for two years to encourage in-depth study and documentation of the state’s theatrical traditions.
“Without institutional support, theatre cannot truly come into its own,” Mallick underlined, making a strong pitch for the council to ensure that Odisha’s theatre movement does not miss its cue in the larger cultural landscape.
