Family Theatre Is Promoted Through Quality Work, Not Press Conferences: Asma Butt
Rawalpindi (City Reporter): Renowned director, writer, and Chief Executive of Dolphin Communication, Asma Butt, has said that press conferences alone are not enough to counter immoral stage dramas. Practical work, quality productions, and continuous efforts are the only means of restoring the lost dignity of stage drama.
She said that family theatre is not promoted through press conferences but through dedication to art, commitment, passion, and adherence to moral and cultural values.
In an important statement, Asma Butt said that the steps being taken by the Government of Punjab for the revival of the film industry were welcome; however, serious and practical measures were also needed for the revival of stage drama. She said that many of those who were talking about family dramas today had themselves been part of the same immoral commercial dramas in the past that they were now criticizing through press conferences. According to her, this attitude reflected an open contradiction and double standards.
She said that Dolphin Communication had been engaged in a continuous practical struggle against increasing obscenity and immoral trends in stage dramas for the past 19 years. The organization had never presented commercial or immoral dramas; rather, it had promoted Pakistani culture, moral values, and a positive national image by presenting quality family theatre in major cities of Pakistan as well as internationally.
Asma Butt said that throughout her artistic career, she had never demanded special privileges or concessions from the government and had faced every challenge through her work. She said that quality halls were available at arts councils across Punjab. Therefore, anyone who genuinely wanted to produce family theatre should prove their abilities by presenting quality dramas instead of holding press conferences.
She invited the artists who had held a press conference in Lahore to present a quality family drama at the Rawalpindi Arts Council. She said that if a drama was truly dignified and reflected the country’s cultural traditions, no institution would create any obstacle.
She said that she herself had presented several successful family dramas at Alhamra and various other arts councils and would soon return to the Alhamra Arts Council with a new drama. She added that she had never felt the need to hold a press conference for this purpose.
Asma Butt said that female dances and immoral scenes at the conclusion of stage dramas had driven families away from theatres. If the dignity, trust, and family environment of stage drama were to be restored, complete disassociation from obscenity and immoral elements would have to be the first step.
She said that instead of seeking cheap publicity, artists should establish their identity through their art and character and provide quality entertainment in accordance with Pakistan’s cultural traditions.
She further announced that a Family Theatre Festival would be organized in August, while a new stage drama based on the life of renowned Sufi poet Amir Khusro would also be presented soon at the Alhamra Arts Council.