INDONESIA

Kashmir's Folk Theatre Facing Hurdles to Growth

Kashmir's Folk Theatre Facing Hurdles to Growth

A local theatre group performs a play titled “Phir Thur” or ‘change’ in the local language.

It’s a satire of the present-day Kashmiri society.

Director Reshi Rashid wants to highlight the cost of change in a society.

“Nobody is averse to the idea of progress and development but should it be at the cost of one’s culture, values and history? What we see today in this changed Kashmir is a complete degradation of everything good we used to be identified with. For example we were famous for our hospitality and that used to attract a large number of tourists to Kashmir but what many of us do today in the name of hospitality is plain cheating.”

The play was part of the Annual Kashmiri Folk Theatre Festival.

Nearly 40 groups performed here.

All plays were written in Kashmiri language to talk about a wide range of contemporary issues.

Another performance “Musafir”, directed by Masoom Ramzan, focuses on environmental concerns.

“Global warming or climate change is among the major issues evoking a lot of concern the world over. But it’s almost neglected here even though we have witnessed enormous amount of environmental damage over the years. This needs to be talked about and stopped otherwise the consequences are going to be disastrous.”

The festival was held after a gap of four years.

But Arvinder Singh Aman from the Kashmir Cultural Academy says he’s happy with the response.

“Both the academy and the artists are trying to making the most of the opportunity. We have fully resumed our activities and programs for the promotion of the regional arts and languages and festivals like these are part of it. We plan to carry on these activities on regular basis to preserve and promote this heritage and it to the next generation.”

Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has experienced an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989.

Tens of thousands of people, mainly civilians, have died... and theatres too.

Playwright Masoom Ramzam says the government’s Cultural Academy should have done more to turn things around.

“What the Cultural Academy calls “Annual Festival” is being heald after a gap of four years. The festival is poorly managed with no facilities and basic structure. The auditorium for rehearsal is under construction for four years now. It’s not even clear when it’s going to be completed.”

Tariq Ahmad was introduced to folk theatre by his actor father at a very young age.

But like other artists, he doesn’t feel that Kashmir is the right place to grow.

“I don’t think the situation is any better for us. We don’t get the respect that we see artists get in India. Our work is looked down as something highly inappropriate and we are treated like beggars.”

Another actor Abdul Samad shares similar experience.

“It’s very expensive to stage a play, it involves costumes and make up that requires a lot of money but what we get from the Cultural academy barely covers our costs. On the contrary when a troupe from outside the state is brought here to perform, the same Academy gives them special treatment. They are provided with five-star accommodation and a good remuneration. Now if the Academy is meant for promoting the regional arts behaves like this, how can we expect others to be respectful to us?”

Despite the hurdles, Kashmiri folk theatres still have a special place in the locals’ heart.

But without drastic efforts, experts say the picture may no longer look so rosy.

Playwright Masoom Ramzam says reforms must start with the Cultural Academy.

“It’s run by a bunch of people who work for salaries. They have nothing to do with art and culture, they don’t feel about it that where the careless attitude stems from. We need the Academy in the hands of people who understand the importance of art and culture for a society and can do something seriously.”



  • India
  • Kashmir
  • folk theatre
  • Bismillah Geelani

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