Odisha seeks report from drama school over 'nude scenes'

Odisha Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Panda on Saturday said a notice would be served to the National School of Drama (NSD) to furnish a report over enactment of "nude scenes" by a Poland-based troupe here.

Poland-based theatre group Alexander Jiereko enacted a play 'Sonaka' at Rabindra Mandap here on Friday evening. However, drama lovers, who were witnessing the play, found themselves in a somewhat awkward situation as an actress took off her dress till her waist to portray the character she was playing.

The drama was showcased as part of the ongoing national theatre festival organised by NSD in collaboration with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademy and the state culture department.

"The act could have been presented in a suggestive manner instead of resorting to nudity. A report will be sought from the NSD authorities over the incident," said Panda.

"Odia culture doesn't allow any nudity. There has to be a degree of restraint in showcasing such work and to breach that is against our culture. There are other non-explicit ways of portraying such subjects," he added.

Meanwhile, women group Nari Sachetan Manch on Saturday resorted to a road blockade and locked the Rabindra Mandap protesting the nudity in the act.