Peoples' Culture Day Message released by IPTA National President Ranbir Sinh on the eve of Peoples’ Culture Day 24th May, 2015 at Bihar IPTA Office, Kaifi Azmi IPTA Cultural Centre, #701-B, Ashiana Chambers, Exhibition Road, Patna.
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Peoples' Culture Day: 25 May 2015
Message
When on 25th May, 1943 the foundation was laid of Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association; it was an auspices day, as Indian Theatre was fortunate to get a powerful theatre movement. There was a special thought and purpose in founding Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association (IPTA). Foremost it was to fight against the colonial rulers and won over freedom. The purpose was to use theatre as a weapon for creating social and political awareness among the peoples of India. To spread the message of unity of all among the peoples, the essence of Ganga-Jamuni Culture which has been the strongest foundation of India. This mission was most admirably done by the members of IPTA of that era. We should honour and respect the courage, the boldness and speech and action of our comrades who opposed the outrageous foreign rule and inspired the people to rise against the colonial masters. This was the admirable contribution of IPTA in the fight for freedom.
On the 15th August 1947, at midnight when the national flag was hoisted on the ramparts of Red
Fort, an important responsibility fell upon our shoulders. It was difficult task to present through our plays and songs that keep the national Flag flying, to keep the unity in diversity. The Ganga-Jamuni culture work for betterment of society by showing the evils of society, make the people aware and force them to think and eradicate them. IPTA has tirelessly worked by presenting socially relevant plays. But for centuries it has been the characters of times to change, for the better or for the worse. But our past leaders have taught us that those who change the colours for benefit of self, like chameleon are weaklings. Today for IPTA it has become very important that the members must seriously think that whatever, in whatever manner they are working is it having an impact on the society. Have we reached the multitude of people. Lately many forces have immerged which IPTA need to oppose, but we must take stock of our weapons, are they socially strong, do they talk about the suffering of the common man and above all are they strong and sharp enough to attack.
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| National President of IPTA releasing the PCD Message |
I am of the
strong opinion that we should celebrate the day of 25th May as a
cultural day. Of course on the day we must present our plays, but at the same
time we must give a thought that how can we serve the society of the present
day. Theater always speaks about the present day. We must understand the
present atmosphere where the corporate world is spreading it wings. We must
understand the condition of the farmers. We must know whether the common man is
happy or is faced with the difficulties for his mere existence. We must understand
all these factors. It is only then that we will be able to choose our plays and
songs to fight the evil forces and make the life of the people happy and
purposeful. Our plays should not be vehicle of mere entertainment but present
the real pictures of society in such a manner that the society itself is forced
to ask the question why this is happening. To raise the questions WHY is the
most important aspect of a socially relevant theatre. Theatre only asks the questions,
it is for the society to change itself. Today the society is standing at the
cross road, not knowing which way to go. In one side there is the attack of
corporate which wants to capture everything. There are attacks on our culture
by which our unity and the strong foundation of Ganga-Jamuni culture is in
danger of being destroyed. Religion is being exploited, history is being
changed. IPTA cannot be a silent spectator. It has to raise its voice. It has
to show the right path to the society. It has to full fill its responsibility.
It will be utterly
foolish to dig our necks deep under the sand, like an ostrich and do not apprehend
the danger which is the hovering over our heads. There is the conspiracy to curb
the power of speech. The Dramatic Performance Act of 1876 may be introduced in
some other garb.
IPTA was born as a movement is a weapon of
social change. At that time she was alone, and times were different. There was
only one enemy the British Rule, now the enemy is within. Todays’ IPTA will
have to adopt the same zeal courage, the power of speech of old, but talk to
the present society in the indium that it understands. The words do have the
way of getting lost in the atmosphere. It is the constant and deliberate effort
that creates Impact. This is achieved by movement. IPTA was a movement and
should always be kept as a movement and a weapon of social change.
Ranbir Sinh
National President, IPTA
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