NSD withdraws invite for staging Utpal Dutt play

NEW DELHI: The National School of Drama (NSD) has withdrawn an invitation for staging 'Titumir', a Bengali play written by veteran actor and director late Utpal Dutt at Bharat Rang Mahotsav. The play, which captures the peasant uprising in colonial Bengal, was supposed to be performed by Kolkata-based Theatre Formation Paribartak.
Joyraj Bhattacharjee, director of the play that encompasses a critique of colonial history, said that despite the theme of the Mahotsav being unsung heroes of the freedom struggle, the panel has decided against showcasing Titumir, a "Muslim man" who played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle.He said that while the play highlights secularism, it was possibly the content that the government did not wish to highlight.
'Invite for staging play withdrawn for technical reasons'
The National School of Drama has withdrawn an invitation for staging 'Titumir', a Bengali play at Bharat Rang Mahotsav. "If the theme of the festival is unsung heroes, then Titimur is definitely one of them. Maybe the committee and the central government were not keen to include a Muslim man who played an important role. Even in West Bengal, the RSS and BJP have carried out anti-campaign before several of our shows. Considering the circumstances, one can assume that it may be a reason for not being included in the festival," play director Joyraj Bhattacharjee said.
Stating the playwright was written by a "strong communist", he said, "It is definitely related and probably this is why they are scared to include the play." While the group was invited to perform at Kamani Auditorium on February 22, the director said following the invitation he had received calls from festival organisers who sought video recordings of the play and the script.
"There are two ways to participate in the festival. Either one applies where the content gets reviewed by a committee or gets invited directly. We were in the second category and hence, I asked them as to why I was being asked for a video recording as we have been shortlisted and were not among the ones who applied. They even asked whether there is any anti-government element in the play and all of this communication was over calls," Bhattacharjee explained.
He also said, "On being asked for video recordings, I had clearly mentioned that I do not have them and would be able to send it after January 17 as we had a show that day and we would be able to record the play. However on January 18, they withdrew the invitation and on Thursday, I was informed about it. The reason cited was the fact that we had not provided the video recordings."
RC Gaur, NSD director, dismissed the claim and said the invitation was withdrawn "purely due to procedural reasons".