Eminent theatre-persons from across the country are dismayed at what they call the continued delay by the Culture Ministry in appointing a Director of the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi, despite an expert panel shortlisting names last year.

The term of Anuradha Kapur had ended in July 2012 and she was on extension pending the decision on her successor. Kapur finally stepped down on April 30.

In a memorandum to the Ministry, 29 theatre-persons, including Mahesh Elkunchwar, Maya Rao, Ramu Ramantahan, Mahmood Farooqui, Neelam Mansingh, Shanta Gokhale, and Prasanna, said the process of selecting a new Director had been initiated in end-August 2012, through an advertisement calling for applications.

A selection committee comprising Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad, Satish Alekar, Govind Deshpande and Amal Allana scrutinised the applications and held interviews on October 8-9. Finally, as per the unanimous decision of the panel, Arundhati Nag, was found to be the most fitting candidate and was placed on the top of a prioritised list of three names, which was presented to the Ministry on November 22 last.

“Seven months on, the Ministry is yet to make an offer to the selected candidates in the order of priority recommended by the selection committee, and announce the name of the new Director,” the memorandum said, adding that this could only be interpreted as “disregard for, and lack of responsibility and accountability towards, a reputed national arts institution.”

Maya Krishna Rao and Keval Arora, who met Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch on June 27 on behalf of the signatories, said any further delay in appointing the head of such a premier arts institution would lead to demoralisation among a large section of theatre-persons.

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