Mysuru: “Theatre criticism should aim to bring changes in the society, if not it will only end up in producing critical” group opined Prasanna Senior Theatre artist.
He was speaking after inaugurating a two day symposium on theatre criticism held as part Niranthara Theatre festival at Maneyangala.
He lamented that the there are a lack of symposiums that discuss theatre criticism. We are all familiar with literary criticism that spreads light on the different genres of literature but theatre lacks in this aspect. “Theatre criticism should reach to the people of the lower cadre cobbler, goldsmith and even with series of events held as part of activity the society has become stagnant. Taking an example, he said that even inferiority complex has been the major hindrance to the growth.
Further hinting at the different phases he said that every activity has two sides North and South. “We have become stagnant unable to fit modern thoughts into traditional practices. There is a growing tendency among the youth who come to the field, but they should not constrain themselves to theatre but move further so that their talent will get a good recognition. There should be a free flow of thoughts and doings among the students who come with the passion. The inferiority complex was present even among the litterateurs like Karanth but it was not recognised and a kind of hierarchy was developed which is against the law of Nature”.
He gave the example of Gandhi and Ambedkar who revolted against the society and achieved in their respective fields and pressed the theatre artists to follow them to bring change in society.
Niranthara Foundation which has youth support has the potential and is working for the betterment of theatre and betterment of society as well.
Dr Ajay Joshi, Critic said, “even though I am very familiar with the forms of theatre and its pros and cons I become nervous when I am asked to render a critique on theatre. When we speak of the theatre criticism the first question that rises, is wheter theatre criticism exists. We are in a kind of dilemma as to whether to criticise the novel, performance or the other aspects that comes with drama”.
MG Krishnan VC Karnataka State Open University was present.
