And the grim reality of theatre echoed in the remarks of the chairperson of NSD’s eleventh annual theatre festival, the Bharat Rang Mahotsav: “Let there be no mistake; this festival is not showcasing a well-established theatre profession, less so a thriving theatre industry. Rather, it celebrates the enormous talent and resilience to continue despite all odds,” Amal Allana said on the opening day on Wednesday evening.

However, a glimmer of hope came from Jawahar Sircar, Union Secretary for Culture: “Based on the recommendation of the Bhaskar Ghosh Committee, the ministry is substantially increasing the salary grant scheme for theatre directors and actors from Monday. The ceiling for the building grant scheme will also be raised the same day, and the production grant scheme is set to increase four-fold by April 1.”

The 30-year-old proposal to set up a National Theatre was also tossed up for discussion at the Kamani Auditorium packed with students and theatre buffs.

But can an event with Zohra Sehgal as its chief guest remain sombre for long? The doyen of theatre followed up her reminiscence of the grandeur of Prithviraj Kapoor with a rendition of Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon, and got a standing ovation.

It was also symbolic that the inaugural play at the festival, Awagha Rang Ekachi Zaala, revolved around a dying tradition and pitted the old against the new.