KOLHAPUR: The organisers of Rajya Natya Spardha have requested the citizens to not ask free passes and instead buy the tickets for the ongoing competition.According to them, the mere cost of Rs 10 and 15 for tickets are very well affordable for even the simplest audience out there. On the evening of the inauguration on Thursday, the organisers added that some amount of the earning on the respective day is given to the team staging their play that day.One of the organisers said requests for free passes are an age-old issue for us. “People should voluntarily help in ensuring they contribute to the cause of theatrical movement in the city,” he said.Agreeing with the organisers, the participating teams too said that it is time that audience recognises the efforts that a team had to take for the production of a play.Padmakar Kapase, producer of the play ‘Bhar chaukat Gandhi putlyasamor’ that will be staged on November 19, said that for production of a play one has to devote his entire time.“All the actors, producers, technicians and several members have to dedicate time for things to go smoothly. In this case, a production amount can go well beyond an average audience’s imagination,” he said.“The plays staged though act as stepping stone for the budding artists, the production value is never compromised by any team. Yes, the government does provide some form of subsidy, but everybody knows it is not enough,” he added.Kapase said that if the audience can’t afford a meagre amount Rs 10 and 15 for a play, it is a real shame for those who call Kolhapur the city of rich art and traditions. “In what way this is going to help the performers? I would say the ticket rates should be increased to Rs 50 and 100 as that would be a fair amount,” he added.

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