BMC Asking Theatres to Play National Anthem Before a Live Show?

Theatre personality Atul Kumar pressurised by Rangsharda auditorium to play the nation anthem before his play.

The Supreme Court’s attempt to use the national anthem to instil patriotism is now being misused. (Photo: iStock)

Paying respect to the national anthem before the screening of a film in a theatre is mandatory. But does the Supreme Court judgement from 30 November 2016 apply to plays being performed in theatres as well? Mumbai’s Rangsharda Auditorium certainly seems to think so.

Actor-director Atul Kumar had an unpleasant experience on Sunday when half-an-hour before the staging of his play Piya Behrupiya, the theatre management told him that he would have to play a CD of the National Anthem and another one informing people of the upcoming BMC elections.

A still from Piya Behrupiya. (Photo courtesy: The Company Theatre)

No disrespect to the National Anthem, but our plays have preset music and lighting which is in place when the audience enters the hall. We create an immersive mood. They wanted me to stop it in the middle and play those CDs and then get on with the play again. It’s ridiculous! I told them it won’t be possible. We don’t even announce the name of our artists or sponsors!

Atul Kumar, Theatre Personality

Atul took to Facebook to ask his friends and colleagues if there is indeed such a rule in place.

Rangsharda insisted that “it was mandatory to do this before all public shows of any live performance in Maharashtra”. And turns out no such rule was there in place in the auditorium even two weeks back or in the famous Prithvi Theatre.

For those who are wondering, read the Supreme Court’s original order on the mandatory playing of the National Anthem here. Where in the judgement does it say that it is mandatory for the National Anthem to be played before a live performance?

An excerpt from the Supreme Court judgement.

As you can see, only cinema halls are mentioned in the order.

Atul Kumar is a well-known theatre personality in India. (Photo courtesy: Facebook/ atulkumar)

First, a lady of the management came and spoke to us and then the manager Poornima Shah told us that we had to play the two CDs no matter what. With all the last minute tension backstage, I really felt a little cornered.

Atul Kumar, Actor

Atul finally didn’t play the CDs and no one from the management had any word with him after the performance. Purnima Shah, the manager at Rangsharda, confirmed the incident to Mumbai Mirror, saying that they have received a letter from BMC demanding the same.

Yes, we asked them (Atul Kumar & team) to do so because all theatres have to play the national anthem. It’s also to show respect towards our country. Don’t you feel the same way too? As regards the BMC announcement, we received a letter from the BMC regarding this election. This is our view from Rangsharda regarding the incident.

Purnima Shah, the manager at Rangsharda

The BMC has reportedly denied the claim, saying that the civic body merely urged cinema halls and theatres to help in creating voter awareness ahead of the elections, and that no orders to play the nation anthem have been given to any theatre from their side.

(With inputs from: Mumbai Mirror)