IF YOU think performing in theatre is a an easy task, think again. To portray before you an imaginary world requires great effort. In spite of all this hardship, this century old tradition of Meghalaya is striving hard for its survival. Despite cut throat competition from television industry, theatre has managed to be close to heart affair for Shillongites, despite suffering jolt from the film industry which brought in its train new technology.
"Until late 1980's, there was a hope for theatre industry to regain its lost glory but the industry felt another jolt with the continuous disturbances in the state. The staffs of Accountant General Office has always played an important role in the manifestation of this great art but the condition of Shillong led many to take transfer and leave the place, the jolt of which cause decline of this theater industry", said Amalendu Dasgupta, one of the oldest members of theatre industry.
Going back to 100 years, the first theatre hall in Meghalaya was the Singhania Hall popularly known as Quinton Hall, which started in 1893. Famous personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore also visited the hall. Soon after that, in the year 1918 opera Hall was formed and it was earlier known as Orange Garden, great people like Uday Shankar, Netaji Shubhash Chandra Bose, pundit Ravi Shankar, Birendra Krishna Bhadra have visited the Opera hall.
In those days, theatre was for the entertainment of people and not only used as a mode of educating people. That was the time, when the theatre industry was undergoing a metamorphosis, the whole new concept that dealt with political and social issues was evolving. That was the time, when professionals had the urge and zeal to make a difference, many time the message of freedom struggle was given through this performing art.
"Plays like Macbeth, Harish Chandra, and Abhijan were the few milestones achieved by theatre in those day and made people live history once again. The remarkable contribution of Rakhal Bhattacharjee brought revolution in this theatre industry with his unique lighting techniques. The contribution of Loknath Bhattachjarjee, Ashini Bose, Deven Ghosh, Rai Shaheb Surendranath Dutta, Upendralal Kanjilal, becomes an unforgettable memory now. Those days Khasi theatre industry was also experiencing its golden age, actors like Dorju Swer, Goren Lyngdoh, Lobell, Hollicson Deingdoh contributed much to uplift the drama culture among Khasi people" recalled Afzal hussain, a great dramatist of Meghalaya, who started his career with Manjushree Majlish saw both the golden era of theater and it's down fall.
The Khasi theatre industry is now facing a similar fait accompli. "Many attempts were made to promote the Khasi theatre but the interest of the local youth has rather diverted towards Western culture and the impact of television has undermined their love to uphold this tradition. Though various groups like RTC have come up but ultimately we have to say even Khasi theatre industry is dying" said Phillip Kharshiieng, a member of Khasi theatre industry. "I started my career as prompter but later indulge myself into stage drama, the urge that artists in those day possessed is lacking among current generation youth" Kharshiieng, added.
Pertinent to say that with the passage of time theatre has lost its identity. While few decade ago it was the only mode of entertainment for the people but today it has lost its glory. Until late 90's during Durga puja celebration, dramas were performed to uphold the tradition but today with the coming of orchestra and Rock and Roll era the situation has changed. However, in various schools and colleges efforts are made to regain the lost glory but the strong urge to perform well in the academic field has not let the young generation to continue this practice
