Nepali theatre: Good times lie ahead
Politicians are good at covering up the truth by means of political rhetoric, and the media sometimes are ready to feed the propaganda of politicians against truth-seekers.
The Deshdrohi (traitor) performed by RITWIK theatre group from Baharampur, India, at Gurukul on Friday makes similar conclusions, portraying the unique character of truth that it can neither be validated nor invalidated by the majority having political interests.
The seeker of truth, Dr Mitra, discovers pollution in drinking water in an Indian village caused by an atomic plant set up there for exploration of Uranium in 1945. Despite the finding that the entire villagers were infected by the polluted water, Dr Mitra was accused of being a Pakistani spy as he opposed the installation of the atomic plant. Though local municipal chief seeks apology from Dr Mitra, a representation of persons committed to speak what is true, he denies apology even though he fails to get support from the media because of political influence. For the municipal chief, presenting Dr Mitra as a criminal was important to win votes in the forthcoming election.
Most of plays ready for Ibsen Theatre Festival 2006, organised to mark the 100th anniversary of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, present the stories of unfortunate people – Dr Mitra is an instance – cast down by power or political influence.
The audience turnout at the ongoing festival marks growing attraction of the audience in Nepali theatre history. According to organisers, more than 700 people come to watch the plays everyday. Sunil Pokhrel, an iconic personality of Nepali theatre, is all smiles these days.
“We look for a revolution in Nepalese theatre in the next few years if the audience grows in a similar trend,” an optimistic Pokhrel calculates. Growing interest of Nepalese audience, especially the young students from schools and colleges, have encouraged him for expansion of the auditorium and he hopes to set up theatres in towns like Dharan, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Janakpur by early next year.
“Theatre should always remain close to the aspirations and experiences of human life,” says he, explaining that the plays staged in Gurukul have always attempted to dwell on this theme.
“We pursue theatre just like politics, as a form of resistance to the passivity induced by globalised consumer-oriented mass-media,” he says highlighting the aim of Gurukul as a theatre school. No doubt, the credit for attracting growing number of audience towards the theatre goes largely to Gurukul.
However, the playwrights and theatre personalities like Pokhrel are yet to make sense of the exact test of the Nepalese audience when it comes to theatre. Halls get packed when there are comedy shows running. However, except for ‘serious’ plays like Agni Ko Katha (story of fire) or Putali Ko Ghar (A Dolls House), which have been able to draw a large audience whenever they are performed, most plays have gone unnoticed.
However, to talk about positive aspects, Nepali theatre is gaining momentum outside the country as well. Wherever Nepali plays have been performed, they have received appreciation. “In many places around the world where we have performed, we find more foreigners than Nepalis watching us. This encourages us to promote Nepali theatre far and wide,” says Pokhrel.
Unfortunately, government support to Nepali theatre has been non-existent. When Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated the festival at Gurukul, he only remembered to mention that his presence there was to pay respect to artists for their role in the democratic movement and he failed to commit anything from the government side for promotion of Nepali theatre.
Pokhrel is of the view that sustaining Nepali theatre by promoting what he calls ‘a theatre culture’ is important than any grants or financial aid. He believes the days are near, provided audience response grows in a similar manner, when Gurukul will become able to financially sustain on its own.
Certainly, like in Deshdrohi, if no obstacles are posed, Nepali theatre will go through a revolution of sorts under the leadership of a Nepali truth seeker, Sunil Pokhrel. nepalnews.com Nov 04 06