Recent complaints of under-performance should give pause for reflection

Dear Editor,

The writer has been attending Indian cultural presentations all his adult life, long before there was a National Cultural Centre. Also as a regular cinema goer at Rosignol Village, West Coast Berbice, I was continually mesmerised by the dance routines I saw of Nargis. (It was there also that I was introduced to Amitabh Bachchan who became my idol). Unfortunately my physical immobility has restrained me from attending the annual celebrations at National Cultural Centre over the last three years. Up to then there was little or no complaint about the technical support provided to any of the very intricate presentations. Nor, for that matter, were there any complimentary comments offered. The synchronisation seemed to be just taken for granted and all applauded. One can therefore appreciate the disappointment emotionally emitted in the press about the latest theatrical under-performance. At the same time, it seems not unreasonable to enquire whether there were any rehearsals for such a prestigious occasion, and therefore what efforts were made by complainants to ensure effective coordination of all the production components required? In the circumstance of inquiry, should there not be pause for reflection as to where lay the substantive faultlines. This has nothing to do with ‘ethnicity’ and ‘funding’ – a divisive input unhelpful for future generations which could only reinforce the diminution of self.

Sincerely,

Elijah Bijay