No to vulgarity: Cleaning up the stage

CDGL issues warning and show cause notices during performance of stage play Bigg Boss.

LAHORE:

The City District Government, last week, issued a warning and show cause notices for “vulgarity and scandalous behaviour” during performance of  stage play Bigg Boss to Qaiser Piya, Gulfan, Sajan Abbas and Abida Baig.

The warnings come as part of a wider effort by the CDGL to regulate obscene content while simultaneously enforcing a strict dress code in theatres and cinemas. Since the beginning of 2011, the government has issued 11 warnings and show cause notices to performers including major stage actresses like Deedar, Nida Chaudhry, Khushboo and Nargis. Laila Siddiqi was banned for 15 days on March 3 for repeat violations. She was earlier banned on January 1.

Last year, the CDGL imposed nine bans and issued, 28 warnings, 21 show cause notices and one final notice before a ban to actresses and script writers for violations at four local theatres in Lahore. According to CDGL officials, the powers to regulate and inspect cinemas and theatres have been delegated to several departments of the district government. According to a report compiled by one of the cinema inspectors in 2010, Nida Chaudhary and Deedaar were the most frequently warned and banned actresses. Chaudhary received four warnings, three show cause notices and two 16-day bans while Deedaar was issued two warnings and three show cause notices. After every show cause notice a written and notarised apology is required for the performance to be allowed on stage again. An Environmental Protection Department inspector said that the standards were set by the district coordination office (DCO) and clearly stated that performers could not bare their bellies, wear low-neck garments or other revealing clothes. The regulations also forbid interaction with the audience. He said that two or three inspectors watched late night shows. “These officials are responsible for approving the songs and making sure that there is no vulgar material in the commentary,” he said.

The inspector explained that the regulation included preview of the scripts and video recordings of the plays. “A male actor can also be banned for using obscene or derogatory language or for improvising and going off script,” he said. “The officials monitor the video-recordings and then assess the content for vulgarity,” he said.The inspector said that he and his colleagues had monitored Naz theatre on Mission Road, Mehfil theatre on Abbot Road, Alfalah on the Mall and Tamasil Theatre on Mozang Road.  He said that the public theatres at Alhamra were regulated by the Arts Council. “Action is taken under the Theatre Performance Act of 1873,” he added.

Another inspector said that there were several categories of obscenity. “We have to be careful as the narrators typically play with words and employ a lot of double entendres,” he said. The inspector said that their duties also involved watching films in cinemas as publicity posters for local films.Stage actress Khushboo said “We have very little funding and we still manage to put on performances. There is no vulgarity. People watch television with foreign channels that display a lot more vulgarity than stage shows.” “This is sheer hypocrisy. They only target us because we are Pakistani and they think that it’s wrong to see local performers performing risqué material even though everyone watches films and television that has much more obscene content,” she said. A district government official said that in 2001, a decision was taken to transfer the powers to DCO from the district commissioner and the Home Department. “At the time, the DCO delegated the powers to check theatres and cinemas to district officers (DOs),” he added. He said that the Community Development, Environmental Protection and Revenue Departments had been given the powers to check theatres and cinemas.

CDGL official Mehmood Khan said that they had also been given the responsibility for assessing film posters. “If there is even a trace of vulgarity we take action. The penalty can include revoking the licences of the people involved, an FIR or a fine,” he said.

Commercial Theatre Producers’ Association chairperson Chaudhary Zulfiqar said that the government bodies approved the scripts and the rehearsals. He said that many producers resented this but that the government needed to play its role to curb indecency. He said, “Scripts often get approved without proper scrutiny. Some people use their contacts and get the scripts approved without scrutiny; others simply go off script.” Zulfiqar said that the government needed to implement a proper code of conduct and rules for commercial theatres. “We don’t support obscene gestures or dances at all. Those who include them in their plays need to be monitored, checked and penalised,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2011.