The council debate


Express June 09, 2010

More than three decades after its formal inception, artists and art aficionados in the country doubt that the Pakistani National Council of the Arts (PNCA) is following its core objectives - promoting culture and arts, encouraging individual creative talent and coordinating cultural bodies.

Artists and target audience members have mixed opinions about the performance of the arts council.

Nida Butt, the director of musicals like Chicago and Mamma Mia!, sees both sides of the arts council.

She told the Daily Times in an interview, “There are double bookings on the part of the Arts Council. But they are reasonably cooperative people. Apart from that, it is the only venue where one can go, for there is no other place.”

Actor Sania Saeed says, “I think when they (PNCA) know you are serious (about your work), they do not trouble you. A lot depends on your attitude. I believe everything depends on your personal relationship and work attitude as well.”

But she firmly asserts, “There are some problems. But if you take up this stance that both parties should work then you can bring a change.”

Unlike the opinions of artists, people do not have anything positive to say about arts councils.

In a survey conducted by Daily Express, a group of participants from varying backgrounds shared their complaints and concerns.

1. Arts councils favour a certain group of artists and ignore talent from the rural and suburban areas.

2. It is because of PNCA’s policies that Pakistani theatres have become centres of vulgarity.

3. Arts councils invite artists who demand high compensation since they are already established actors.

4.  Arts councils do not promote theatre, something they could do by promoting the country’s rich cultural diversity.

5.   By ignoring local culture, arts councils promote Indian culture amongst the youth.

6.  Arts councils are depriving young talent by overrating senior artists.

7. One cannot expect any improvement if the monitoring systems like PNCA continue to function poorly.

8.   On one hand artists do not have money to pay for their medical bills and on the other, the officers of arts councils are doing nothing but wasting the government’s funding. The situation is the same for every part of the country.

9.   We have very few art academies. In the few that are present, not many people can be trained due to lack of resources.

The respondents also came up with a number of suggestions to improve PNCA’s performance.

1.  A major duty of arts councils is to search for talent in the country. PNCA should organise programs to raise awareness about local languages and lifestyles.

2. Featuring new artists will not only help them showcase their talent but will also provide them with a source of income.

3. Introducing new artists along with renowned actors is a practice that should be continued.

4.  The government should establish art academies to train young artists.

5.  Arts councils should help promote Pakistani culture across the globe which will help showcase a positive image of the country.

With reporting by Qaiser Iftikhar in Lahore and Saadia Qamar in Karachi

Published in the Express 10th, 2010.

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