After a delay of over a year, the Government on Thursday formally announced the appointment of noted theatreperson, Waman Kendre, as the new Director of National School of Drama. “His appointment is for a period of five years w.e.f. the date of assumption of charge of the post or till superannuation on 62 years of age or until further orders, whichever is the earliest,” an official release said.

The outgoing Director of NSD, Anuradha Kapur’s term had ended in July 2012, and she was on extension pending the decision regarding her successor. Kapur finally stepped down on April 30, this year, after which the position had been lying vacant. Several theatrepersons had met the Culture Minister, Chandresh Kumari Katoch, on June 27, seeking early appointment of the head of a premier arts institution such as NSD.

Kendre, an NSD alumnus, hails from Maharashtra, known for its rich tradition of theatre, both folk and modern. He did his research in Kerala’s folklore, and played a leading role in the Dalit theatre movement in Maharashtra in the late 70s. Among his well-known plays are Mohandas, Ranangan, Janeman, Madhyam Vyayog, Zulva, Tempt Me Not and Dusara Samana. He currently heads the Academy of Theatre Arts, Mumbai University.

Kendre’s name was among the three names short-listed by a selection committee comprising Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad, Satish Alekar, Govind Deshpande and Amal Allana. The other two contenders were Arundhati Nag from Bangalore and Abdul Latif Khatana from Kashmir.

>aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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