All theatrics, nothing real for theatre artists!

By-Vivek Singh Chauhan

Lucknow: Theatre can give a round of applause for an excellent performance but unfortunately, hunger cannot be satisfied through applauses. It is a harsh reality that theatre artists are working without payment in Uttar Pradesh.

A renowned director, Atamjeet Singh, said, “Conventional theatre has lost not only artists but also its audience. Its’ actors are living marginalised life. Many of them have already left it, as doing theatre and job simultaneously was not feasible for them. Only those who have strong determination and passion for arts are working.”

Most of the artists are doing amateur theatre in UP. They know that by doing theatre only, they won’t be able to make both ends meet. The condition of the poor artists is even worse, as they have to work without payment.

Nivedita, an artist of Rich Theatre Foundation group, said, “I barely get Rs 12 to 13 hundred for a performance, which is less than what I spent to reach rehearsals. I have been doing theatre for five years, but presently I am entirely confused, whether to continue or leave.”

Although most of the artists are less paid or unpaid, yet youngsters opt to do theatre. Just because they think it would turn out to be their ticket to entre Bollywood. Every artist whoever dreams of working in film industry or has acting instinct, finds theatre suitable for him/her. In the beginning of their career, the lack of audience, money, and facilities do not matter. But after working for some time, every passing day brings disappointment for them.

Vikas Gautam, who recently got admission in National School of Drama (NSD), said, “After giving eight years to theatre, now I have got the right path to pursue my dreams. But many of my contemporaries have quit, as they were unable to work on marginalised payment for so long… every actor doesn’t have strong financial support.”

He added that performing in front of almost the same audience is also heart breaking, majority of people, who come to see play, are either theatre artists or their relatives. The diehard fans of art are very few in numbers.

Many artists complained regarding the lack of theatre ethics in Lucknowites. Mohd. Shadaan, who have acted in six plays so far, said, "While I was performing in my first play a person started shouting loudly on his phone. Hearing him yelling so loud, I got stunned and forgot my lines eventually. These incidents are quite common in theatre; every artist has to bear with them.”

Government does provide grants for organising plays on social issues and culture conservation but these grants are not more than a drop in an ocean. Permanent grants are given only to 'Rang-Mandals' and the rules to register a 'Rang-Mandal' are so stringent that most of the amateur theatre groups fall short to fulfill all the compulsory conditions.

Devashish Mishra, faculty at ‘Bhartendu Natya Academy Lucknow’, said, "In general the status of theatre artists is poor. But those who are working in Rang Mandals have some relief in comparison to armature groups, as they get paid by the government. Amateur groups get the amount that is good for nothing. There is a problem of lack of proper guidance and monitoring in many amateur groups…. making career in acting without any guidance is quite difficult. If they are given subsequent support, they would definitely be successful. To improve the poor status of artists in our state, we have to promote theatre through adding new audience. When new faces will come to watch plays, they will promote it automatically if they like.”

Artists, who makes us laugh and weep at the same time by their performances, are struggling to earn their living. They are compelled to choose between theatre and livelihood. Government and concerning authorities should make sure that artists have at least the amount that could give them chance of living a dignified life.