A popular inter-collegiate drama competition “Firodiya Karandak” held in Pune has now decided to bar plays on topics related to Ayodhya verdict and the Article 370 abrogation in Jammu and Kashmir, Indo-Pak relations and communal and caste-based issues plaguing the country.
Though it is temporary in nature for now, such a rule has been brought about for the first time since the competition’s inception 46 years ago.
Speaking to The Logical Indian, the organizer of the competition, Ajinkya Kulkarni, said, “For quite some time now, the plays have focused on Hindu-Muslim or caste issues. Participants tend to think that such themes can be their path to success in this competition.”
He also added that out of 48 plays that are performed, 19 of them happen to be related to such topics.
“There is not much understanding of sensitive issues such as Ayodhya-Babri Masjid conflict and Article 370 abrogation, which could reflect in the participants’ work. Such sensitive issues should be handled with maturity,” Kulkarni reasoned.
Kulkarni emphasized the fact that students should also think out of the box and come up with topics that do not necessarily revolve around what is happening in the country. The organization also aims to encourage more “positive content” which is why they came up with a new category in the competition – “best comedy performance”.
Popular among the college-going crowd of Pune, “Firodiya Karandak” is a competition that gives platform to students aged 18 to 21 years to showcase their talent not just in theatre but also in choreography. The competition’s next edition will take place on February 1, 2020, and will go till the February 24.
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