Theatre activists lament campus plays get not enough attention

KOZHIKODE: Campus plays are still about resistance and protest against the system, but are not getting enough attention from the public or media, said theatre activists. In a discussion on the campus theatre movement, organised as part of the Kerala Literature Festival, here at Kozhikode Beach, theatre activists discussed plays on campus, schools and the deviation of focus from the script to visually appealing aspects of the plays. Noted theatre activist A Shanthakumar said that campus plays were still offering good content and were based on ground realities.

“90 percent of campus plays are very good and are raising the voice of resistance and protest aga-inst the existing faulty systems. However wh-en it comes to schools, the issues discussed in school plays have turned into a cliche. Those plays are focussing only on Kalolsavam and prizes rather than dealing with real student issues, which is a dangerous trend," he added. Gireesh P.C said that it was the responsibility of the public, media and authorities to encourage campus theatre activism.

“Film, theatre and serials should be treated separately. A majority of people are against serials but it has more viewers. It means that if you want to convey something, serials are the way to go because they are accepted by people,” he added. Shibu Muthatt pointed out that while European plays were focussed on personal aspects and personal issues, in the Indian context and specially the Kerala context, social issues were getting more prominence. Bineesh Puthuppanam was the moderator of the discussion.