Budding drama groups badly dented

Theatre artistes rehearsing for a drama at the Mohammadpur Graphic Arts College.Photo: STAR

Gradual shutdown of the city's traditional, affordable and convenient spots for drama rehearsals due to political and other reasons is becoming a big challenge for most theatre groups pushing their shows and schedules into uncertainty.
The lack of rehearsal spots has made it difficult for theatre groups, especially the small and new ones, to stage a drama. It also resulted in a sharp decline in the number of dramas staged in the city creating frustration among the theatre artistes.
The Mahila Samity Mancha, one of the three active stages in the city, witnessed a sharp decline in the number of applications for booking in the last ten months.
"Just ten months ago we received on average around 70 applications a month but at present we are getting only 30 to 40 applications.
“We have been experiencing such declining trend since January this year," said Rawshan Ara Chowdhury, an official of Mahila Samity.
Absence of rehearsal rooms can leave a big dent in the practice of theatre art in the city, theatre personalities told Star City, expressing their concern.
There were several affordable and convenient spots for rehearsal in the city where budding theatre groups used to practise. Due to political reasons including changing political scenario and other reasons these places have been shut down for theatre artistes.
Traditionally, theatre groups rehearsed in schools and colleges in the evening, renting one or two rooms through mutual understanding, which was convenient for both sides.
Theatre artistes alleged that after the takeover of coalition government in 2001, gradually the headmasters and principals of the schools and colleges started to deny access to theatre groups. Thus the groups started losing their places for rehearsal.
Schools and colleges now remain unused in the evening while in the past there was no problem in renting or using the school or college rooms for rehearsal.
“But since the coalition government returned to power, our access to most of these places was denied. A certain quarter put pressure on the principals and headmasters of these institutions not to allow holding rehearsals,” said Md Mahbub Alam Shahid, organising secretary, Mirpur Sanskritik Oikya Parishad and a theatre activist.
At least two such places, Eskaton Garden High School and Motijheel High School, where around 30 groups used to rehearse for the last 20 years have been shut down due to different reasons including complaint of 'noise pollution,' raised by a certain quarter.
Eight groups used to rehearse at Mirpur University College for eight years till 2001.
“After the takeover by the immediate-past political government in 2001, we had to leave the place under pressure from people belonging to a coalition partner,” said an artiste who used to rehearse at Mirpur University College six years ago.
Bangladesh Railway Community Centre was another old place for rehearsal but this was also made off-limits to the artistes two years ago.
Ten groups used to rehearse at Bulbul Lalitkala Academy in the evening but that also stopped due to a night school established by a minister of the previous government.
Kamaluddin Kabir of Janmashutra theatre group, said it is very difficult to stage shows in the face of acute shortage of places for rehearsal.
“To tell you the truth it is very difficult to find a place for rehearsal. Often we have to rehearse in open places like the compound of Shilpakala Academy compound, in front of the Dhaka University Natmondol and Suhrawardi Udyan,” he said.
“Sometimes we have to travel as far as Narayanganj to conduct rehearsal for a drama.”
Kabir also said: “We the theatre artistes practise the art because we are emotionally attached to it. We are ready to carry our sets and props on head to any place. But if it goes on like this then it will be difficult for groups like us to survive.”
“Even after completing the rehearsal with such difficulties, staging a show becomes another hurdle because there are only three auditoriums in the city,” he added.
Apu Aman, Shatwik Natya Shampraday, said that it has become very difficult for them to continue rehearsal after they had lost their spot at Mirpur Town Hall.
“It takes four to five hours to carry the sets, mats and musical instruments to and from the rehearsal place. We have to pay Tk 3,000 for a room which is very costly for us,” he said.
Ahmed Gias, Subachan Natya Sangsad, said they used to rehearse at a community centre in Mohammadpur which was turned into a Rab office more than two years ago.
“After we lost the place we fell in a great trouble. At last Mohammdapur Graphic Arts College let us use its space under the kind consideration of its principal,” he said.
Theatre artistes want Shilpakala Academy play a more significant role in arranging rehearsal facility. The academy should set up more rehearsal rooms to rent them out to professional groups. “Worldwide cultural academies play a big role in theatre practice. So, we want a good support from Shilpakala Academy,” said Apu.
Golam Sarwar, deputy director, Theatre Art, Shilpakala Academy, said at present the academy has two rehearsal rooms for danseuses and one for administrative functions.
“These rooms can be allotted for theatre rehearsals when they are free but it is very difficult to get these rooms free. At present three separate rehearsal rooms are being constructed for theatre groups, which will be inaugurated in February-March,” he said.
Noted theatre personality Ramendu Majumder said despite the lack of rehearsal place artistes were working within existing infrastructure to sustain the practice.
“At present Shilpakala Academy have some rehearsal rooms which artistes can use in turn. Besides, primary schools' classrooms can be used in the evening. The groups must struggle to find a way out, they should not lose heart,” Majumder said.
"We must move ahead breaking the silent barriers," he said.