File picture of Uttar Purish presenting Nishi Padma at Rabindra Mandap

Bhubaneswar, June 23: The footfall for Uttar Purush’s play Adhe Adhure was poor. It was not because of the quality of the play staged at Rabindra Mandap on Monday, but because the audience had to pay and become members to watch the show.

The play, which was directed by Abhinna Routray, also brought to the fore the perils of having a ticketed show that many veterans in the fraternity believe is a must if theatre has to grow in Odisha.

Theatre enthusiasts, who became members of the host troupe by paying Rs 50, were allowed to watch Adhe Adhure, a Hindi play written by Mohan Rakesh and translated in Odia by Sukesh Panda. As a result, only genuine theatre lovers turned up and managed to fill up half of Rabindra Mandap’s capacity of around 900 seats.

“We wished to host a ticketed show, but could not since we would have to pay way higher to book a private venue. The state government owned Rabindra Mandap auditorium does not allow ticketed theatre. Hence, we offered viewers to become members for a small fee so that we could generate revenues for better productions and more importantly, attract genuine audience,” said director Routray.

“At present, theatre groups have to depend on donations by corporate houses and sanctions by central and state governments,” he said.

To book Rabindra Mandap for an evening, a theatre troupe has to pay a concessional fee of Rs 13,500. Though organisers of other cultural programmes have to pay Rs 18,000 to hire the venue, they are allowed to sell tickets. Theatre troupes, however, do not enjoy the privilege as they are entitled to a concession.

In 2006, theatre troupes had asked for concession in booking the popular auditorium. The government agreed with the rider that venue could not be used for commercial purpose. Recently, the culture department forfeited the security deposit of a troupe after getting to know that it was a ticketed show.

“I had to face some problems a few months ago when I planned a ticketed show. The problem is with the system and the attitude of our government. They must realise that no auditorium in India hosts free theatre, but in Odisha it has become a tradition. A ticketed show does not indicate commercial benefit. The officials should allow us to sell tickets and they can decide the price limit,” said eminent theatre personality Dolagovind Rath.

However, the government officials have a different take.

“Rabindra Mandap aims at encouraging cultural festivals and not commercial ventures. Ticketed shows are simply not allowed for theatre,” said culture department director Sushil Das. “Those who wish to host ticketed shows may opt for private venues,” he said.

President of Odisha Natya Sangha Dhira Mallick said that the association has written a letter to tourism and culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda demanding that theatre troupes be allowed to stage ticketed shows at discounted rate.

“He has promised to look into our demand after rath yatra,” said Mallick.