Uma Anand

Uma Anand contributed to Quest, the journal of ideas sponsored by the Indian Committee for Cultural Freedom, appearing in 5 issues of the archive’s run (Vol. I No. 4 (February-March 1956) to Vol. III No. 4 (Feb.-March 58)).

Quest’s contributor note in Vol. I No. 4 (February-March 1956), p. 67 reads:

Uma Anand is a free-lance journalist and conducts the women’s programme of All India Radio, Bombay.

Quest’s contributor note in Vol. II No. 4 (February-March 1957), p. 57 reads:

Uma Anand writes: Sir, Nothing Mr. Adil has said makes me change my carefully examined opinion. In fact his very first point not only highlights an attitude of hair-splitting, of useless verbiage that we find rampant among our people, but also of a peculiar ethical code which condones the utilisation of just so much of the truth as will serve immediate ends. All the literature published by the Bharatiya Natya Sangh (Theatre Centre, India) relating to the Conference refers to it as ‘the First World Theatre Conference of the International Theatre Institute’. What is the difference between a ‘World Theatre Conference’ and an ‘International Theatre Conference’? The Asian bias which Mr. Adil seeks to give to the Conference was nowhere substantiated, either by the literature published by the B.N.S., by the countries represented, or by the items on the agenda. To quote Theatre as a means to cultural and educative development.’ While Mr. Adil takes the trouble to quote the first item on the agenda, (since it serves his purpose) his regard for truth prevents him from proceeding to the second item on the agenda, which was namely: ‘The condition of the Theatre for Youth in Occidental countries’ (see I.T.I. Enquiry on Theatre and Youth in 27 countries). The above facts will show that I am not so innocent as Mr. Adil supposes, either of the proceedings of the Conference, or of the subterfuges to which he is willing to resort in order to make a point. Concerning the papers ‘Theatre for Youth in India’ and ‘Theatre for the People in India’ which I maintain were to have formed the basis for discussion, Mr. Adil insists: ‘The Conference was not called to discuss any papers.’ He further insists that these papers were ‘reports’ which ‘will be discussed by relevant committees of I.T.I.’ May I refer him to the last page of the Programme for the Conference. I quote: ‘Tuesday, 30th October, 1956, 9.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. The Conference will be divided into two groups: The two papers ‘Theatre for the People’ and ‘Theatre for Youth’ will be taken as read. Group A will discuss ‘Theatre for the People of India’ and Group B will discuss ‘Theatre for Youth.’ Two groups continue discussions on the papers’. I also quote from the paper ‘Theatre for Youth in India’ page 1. ‘This paper deals with Theatre for Youth as it exists today…’ and later on the same page ‘Statistics are lacking and therefore will limit the factual aspect of the paper to observation.’ A ‘report’ is limited to ‘factual aspects’-a ‘paper’ can put forward opinions, or a point-of-view held by an individual or a group, substantiated by facts. Both papers are full of opinions, contradictory statements, and inaccuracies of a flagrant nature. I will refer to these later.