Art academy events in cold storage

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 5

Since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year, every activity related to art and culture has faced a major setback in the newly formed Union Territory of J&K.

Except for the government-sponsored programmes such as Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2 and Republic Day, no event has been organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL).

Due to the failure of the academy to hold various events, artistes have been left in a state of uncertainty.

The prestigious annual drama festival, which used to keep all artistes occupied for a month and would bring them some fame and money, has been put into cold storage.

The only solace to artists is being provided by private organisations such as Lakshya-The Aim and Nutan Prayas Manch, which have taken up yeoman’s work by organising national and international theatre festivals on their own without any government support or sponsor.

Secretary, JKAACL, Munir-ul-Islam said the activity log of six months was with his private secretary, Zahoor Ahmed Shah, while the latter said the assistant cultural officer, central office, Anil Tickoo knew the details.

“We conducted a folk programme at the trade fair in November and another programme with local artists. However, it is the first time in the history of the theatre that the annual drama festival was not held this year,” said Anil Tickoo.

Cultural officer, division office, Bishan Dass said since the formation of the UT, the academy had conducted the Lohri festival and on-the-spot painting competition with local artists.

The art academy used to flourish in drama, music, dance and literature in the erstwhile state but has not been able to hold events, harming the prospects of the artists.

“These are just face-saving statements. The academy has been defunct for the past more than a year with no worthy activity created for the benefit of artists. Besides, the academy is headless as the incumbent secretary holds two offices, affecting the working of the institution,” said Mushtaq Kak, Sangeet Akademi awardee.

Festival director Anuroop Pathania, under whose patronage the 15-day ‘Rangleela Natya Utsav-2019’ was conducted and is at present holding ‘Nutan International Theatre Festival-2020’ at Abhinav Theatre, said with a void on the theatrical front in J&K, he along with a few other activists had taken the initiative to revive the theatrical activity in the UT.

“It is an irony that after becoming the UT, J&K has suffered a big loss on the cultural front. It is only the cultural footprints of a region that keep its identity alive. The JKAACL has become defunct. Some courageous activists are in league with me and we are regularly conducting mega events in Jammu to keep the theatre alive,” said Pathania.