Subsidy cut deals blow to theatre troupes

Mahila Samity auditorium rent more than doubles to Tk 11,500 per shift

The withdrawal of government subsidies has more than doubled the cost of staging plays at the Dr Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of the Bangladesh Mahila Samity, putting theatre troupes under financial strain and discouraging performances at the venue.

Since January, troupes have had to pay Tk 11,500 per shift, up from Tk 5,000, after the Ministry of Cultural Affairs discontinued a Tk 6,500 subsidy.

Eminent theatre personality Ramendu Majumdar said the auditorium authorities had initially set the rent at Tk 11,500 when the venue reopened.

“We spoke with the cultural minister at the time and asked, ‘How can we afford such high rent?’” he said.

Following the discussions, the then cultural ministry agreed to subsidise the rent by Tk 6,500 per shift, reducing the amount payable by theatre troupes to Tk 5,000, he said.

“However, the interim government discontinued the subsidy after taking office. Without the funding, we were left in a difficult position. The rent is simply too high for many theatre groups. The current government has not restored the subsidy either. We want the government to restore it,” Majumdar said.

The number of plays staged at the auditorium has since declined significantly, with many theatre troupes reluctant to use the venue because of the high rent, according to artistes and Mahila Samity sources.

Speaking to The Daily Star, theatre activist and Dhaka University sociology professor Dr Samina Luthfa said, “It is almost impossible for theatre troupes to afford such high rent. The government must take action, as Mahila Samity holds a significant place in the country’s theatre scene.

“I know that the cultural ministry and representatives of the theatre community are currently in talks, so we can only hope the subsidy will be restored.”

A source at Bangladesh Mahila Samity, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a special rental arrangement for theatre troupes had long been in place with financial assistance from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The Daily Star has obtained an official letter, dated August 12, 2026, from Mahila Samity General Secretary Tamanna Rahman to Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury.

The letter seeks financial assistance for the 2026-27 fiscal year to support theatre performances at the auditorium.

It says previous government subsidies kept the venue affordable, allowing an average of 20 performances a month.

The organisation has requested Tk 14.3 lakh from the ministry’s special fund, calculated at Tk 6,500 per performance for 20 shows a month over 11 months, as the auditorium remains closed for one month each year.

The grant is intended to sustain regular theatrical performances and preserve the venue’s legacy.

Contacted, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said the ministry was willing to discuss the issue and take necessary steps to support theatre workers.

“We will definitely look into the matter, as we take the well-being of the theatre sector very seriously. We will address the letter and hope to reach a resolution acceptable to everyone involved,” he said.