GUWAHATI, Dec 6 - Internationally acclaimed theatre personality Ratan Thiyam on Sunday regretted that many performing art forms have died or are on the verge of extinction due to lack of proper infrastructure for their preservation.
Delivering the ninth Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Memorial Lecture at the ITA Pragjyoti Cultural Centre, Machkhowa, on the topic �My Journey in Theatre�, Thiyam said not only art forms, even practitioners and artistes are fighting a grim battle for survival.
Stressing the need for a definite cultural policy, Thiyam noted that only such a concrete measure will improve the infrastructural and organisational shortcomings to save the present and future generations of artistes.
�We are very proud of our tradition and traditional art forms. But serious attempt has not been made so far to promote art and culture in spite of introduction of schemes, which are not helping much towards the improvement and conservation of our cultural heritage,� rued the theatre personality.
Thiyam also dwelt at length on his journey in the field of theatre and said theatre is a continuous process of conversation between the performer and the spectator, which helps the audience create its own imagination, think about happenings and digest the enactment with its own philosophical perception.
�I firmly believe that theatre should carry its own identity with universal approach," said Thiyam, adding that he is hopeful theatre of this century will concentrate upon the security of mankind, try to bring more meaning into life and create an ambience free from conflict and violence.
The function, organised by the Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Memorial Public Charitable Trust, was attended by film personality Shatrughan Sinha and VC of Gauhati University Dr Mridul Hazarika.
The trust�s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Culture for the year 2015 was presented to actress Arati Barua, cine technician Satish Chouhan, Arun Das who is a veteran in the field of production, and musician Lou Majaw.
Eight prominent citizens were also felicitated on the occasion. � Staff Reporter
