March 26, 2024
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE:
In a bid to tackle vulgarity and nudity in commercial theatres, the Punjab government has introduced the Punjab Theatrical Performance Ordinance 2023, amending the Dramatic Performance Act 1876.
This ordinance shifts the responsibility for script scrutiny, stage play monitoring, and disciplinary actions from the Ministry of Interior to the Information and Culture Department in Punjab.
According to reports, new rules of business are being formulated, allowing for immediate penalties, even during the performance of a drama. Offenders may face fines, bans, license suspension, and theater closure.
Earlier this month, the Punjab Council of Arts issued directives to theater owners and producers, urging them to submit script for plays slated to be performed over Eid in commercial theaters across Punjab until March 31. The notice appeared to be aimed at examining scripts thoroughly, to eradicate any instances of obscenity during performances.
Before the passing of the ordinance, “Any content deemed inappropriate or violating Punjab Arts Council standard operating procedures (SOPs) were rejected,” Zahid Iqbal, Deputy Director of Drama and Theater at the Punjab Arts Council (PAC) tells Voicepk.
He says theatres were permitted to include only five songs in a performance, with strict guidelines regarding attire and physical exposure during rehearsals. He attributed the entertainment industry’s decline partly to non-compliance with these SOPs by producers and theatre owners.
Though Shahid Nadeem, Director Ajoka Theater, stresses on the importance of script scrutiny, he suggests that this responsibility lies not with the government officials but individuals associated with the theatre community.
The livelihoods of numerous families are intertwined with the theatre industry, and the government restrictions and theatre closures threaten their financial stability.
Despite these challenges, the resilience of the theatre community persists, embodying a rich cultural heritage that transcends mere entertainment.
In the realm of cultural expression, theatre stands as one of the oldest and most revered art forms. Beyond mere entertainment, it serves as a powerful vehicle for social reform, tackling intricate societal issues with a blend of wit and insight.
Yet, despite its significance as a medium of freedom of expression, theatre often finds itself under the shadow of censorship, particularly in Punjab, where stage plays enjoy immense popularity.
During the tenure of Information and Culture Minister Amir Mir in the previous caretaker government of Punjab, theatres across the province, particularly in Lahore, faced closure on allegations of promoting obscenity. Bans were imposed on artistes, and amendments to the Dramatic Performance Act 1876 were proposed on various occasions to tighten regulations.
Producer and scriptwriter Raheel Shah, boasting 45 years of experience in stage dramas, criticizes the government’s approach. He asserts that while theatres are being shut down under the pretext of enforcing SOPs related to vulgarity, the government has failed to establish academies aimed at training theatre producers and directors on discerning what truly constitutes vulgarity.