MUMBAI, June 24: Hindi producer-director Dinesh Thakur, Gujarati producer Girish Desai, English theatre critic Jiten Merchant, Marathi director Chandrakant Kulkarni, Waman Kendre, Marathi playwright Prashant Dalvi, thinker Pushpa Bhave, drama critic Kamlakar Nadkarni, former assistant director, National Centre for the PerforI>a city-based theatre magazine.The theatre bigwigs cited no archiving of productions, stopping of programmes like theatre development, no training or teaching workshops, no new schemes, and the rise of bureaucracy among the various ills that ail the NCPA.What is significant is that NCPA seems to have acquired all these ailments during the last five years. And even more significant is the fact that the period coincides with celebrateddirector-actor Vijaya Mehta's tenure as NCPA Director.The theatre brigade came out in full force against Mehta's alleged inactivity. ``It's not the person we are against. It's just that we have expectations from the seat she occupies. Those expectations are not being fulfilled,'' said Chandrakant Kulkarni. But inactivity was not the only complaint. High handedness was another - the manner in which NCPA's permanent employees, Sucharita Apte and Chetan Datar were sacked by Mehta recently, found a voice here as well. ``This is worse than dictatorship,'' said Pushpa Bhave. The matter is now subjudice.Dinesh Thakur complained about the inaccessibility of the NCPA and its resources to theatre persons. He cited the example of a Chandigarh University research scholar who was denied access to the NCPA archives. His biggest complaint, however, was that Mehta has no time to give an ear to the grievances of the theatre fraternity. "I least expected this of a fine actress and a sensitive director like Vijayabai,"he fumed.The NCPA has, however, often stated paucity of funds as the reason behind the closure. Dr Ranade, who was in charge of the projects, denied there was shortage of funds.Samantar sources made it clear that they didn't wish to make the gathering a one-sided affair as Mehta too was invited. Predictably, she didn't turn up.But Mehta did find support in columnist Shanta Gokhale and film-maker Arun Khopkar. "I guess that the fear of dealing with areas unknown to her is behind the closure of the projects," said Gokhale. "There's a lot happening at the NCPA in areas other than theatre," she further said.But the brickbats outnumbered the bouquets. "NCPA needs a director with a vision. Mehta should quit," said Kamlakar Nadkarni. "Let the director be a popular choice. Let's have an election if the need arises," suggested Kulkarni. A resolution urging a response to the complaints was passed in the gathering. Mehta has been given a month to act on it. The Board of Trustees of NCPA will meet onJune 25 to decide on an extension of Mehta's term. Whether Mehta resumes office tomorrow or faces a poll, is just a matter of a few hours now.
