Theatre faces bankruptcy

The theatre industry of West Bengal might become extinct unless infrastructure and commercial support improve, eminent theatre personality Shaonli Mitra warned here today.

Speaking at a meeting on 'Further to Fly! The Long Path' organised by Pragati, ladies wing of Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry(BNCCI), she explained that there is severe fund crunch for the theatre industry of the state and no group is earning any profit.

"In most cases, the group are running at their own cost and failing to recover the cost of their performance. Unlike other professions, this is the only area where you do not earn anything," pointed Mitra.

She said lack of infrastructure is hindering proper training of potential candidates in the area of lighting and music.

"There is significant absence of women in area of stage lighting where they could have earned a living. There are no possibilities of training them owing to the lack of infrastructure," she added.

"Eminent men's wear designer Sharbari Datta said society must contribute in creating the commercial platform where underprivileged women could be trained to become entrepreneurs. Gems and jewellery designer Verda Goenka and former member of Parliament Bharati Roy were amongst other speakers.