Shillong: State Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has stressed on the need to revive and popularise Khasi drama in the State citing that this art has started to fade away and lose popularity.
Stressing on this point at the staging of the Khasi drama Ka Pla I Nah organised by the Rympei Theatrical Centre (RTC) in collaboration with the State Arts and Culture Department at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Wednesday, Lyngdoh said more platforms should be provided for such an art form which was once upon a time very popular among the people of the State to provide some form of entertainment to the people of the State and also to hone the acting talents of young people.
While applauding the efforts of RTC to organise this drama after a long time, the Urban Affairs Minister urged the Centre to provide a platform for the students by organising inter-drama competitions like it used to do in the past.
The RTC organised this drama directed by Phillip F Kharshiing to observe the 38th anniversary of its existence.
The genre of this comedy drama is divided into three segments which depict how three young nephews and nieces of a rich soft soap her only to get a share of her property.
The hall was packed with audiences from all sections of society who left the venue in good humour.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Shillong Times on the sidelines of the drama, RTC president Patrick Nongrum informed that they took almost 2 years to complete this project as there were many members who came and left halfway creating much difficulty in finalising the project and the show for public entertainment.
When asked why RTC has gone into hibernation, Nongrum said since there were members who have aged and passed away, it is difficult to carry on this legacy but they are trying to revive it by involving young, interested people and getting them into their circle.
Highlighting on the initiative taken by RTC, Nongrum said they are organising training programmes for the people interested in drama but he lamented the fact that over so many years the RTC does not even have a permanent training and rehearsing centre while adding that they had to shift the venue from place to place depending on availability of the space.
However, he said they usually stick to Don Bosco Hall at Laitumkhrah.
“We are trying our best to attract the youth to this art form which was very popular during the early 80s and 90s and there is a need to bring this art form to its previous glory,” said Nongrum, adding that at present, there are 15 members of the RTC.