LAHORE: The Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture had to close down its commercial theatre after the venture proved unsuccessful and it invited sharp criticism by writers and intellectuals, Pilac sources told Dawn.

The sources When the commercial theatre was allowed at Pilac some seven to eight months ago as a result of expansion and upgrade of its theatre facilities, the writers and intellectuals regularly visiting the institute disliked and resisted the move.

They were of the view that arts councils and cultural institutions were not meant for commercial activities. Such places were basically aimed at promoting art and cultural activities, including meaningful and objective theatre which should have some message or purpose, they argued.

According to Pilac sources, allowing commercial theatre was an initiative taken by the institute’s Director General Khalid Mehmood Qazi.

However, after allowing commercial theatre at the venue for some seven months Pilac administration, under constant pressure of its visitors, writers and intellectuals silently closed down the activity.

Mr Mehmood, admitting allowing commercial theatre at Pilac, explained the initiative was taken after funds were refused to the institute by the government.

He said as Pilac had to generate funds on its own “so we started off with the commercial theatre”, adding that the experiment nevertheless didn’t work and it also met with a lot of criticism, resulting in closure of the venture.

“Now we shall think of some other option to generate funds”, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015

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