Statement from sampad's Board on Behzti
17th December, 2004
The Board of sampad is issuing this statement in response to the issues that have arisen from the production of "Behzti" that is being presented at the Birmingham Rep theatre. We are aware that the play has given rise to a degree of debate within certain groups representing the Sikh community. We have listened to a number of different representations and have given them all very careful consideration.
We agree with the statement made by representatives from the Sikh community that it is legitimate to deal with issues of corruption, and welcome the opportunity for discussion that the production opens. However, the content and style of Behzti are open to interpretation.
Theatre is often intended to provoke its audience into thinking more deeply about the issues it raises. This particular piece deals with issues of corruption and hypocrisy that are uncomfortable to face, but can and do happen in any institution, religious or otherwise.
Sampad is not responsible for the content and production of this play, but is co-promoting it with the Birmingham Rep as part of a joint initiative to encourage new South Asian audiences. Sampad co-promotes with organisations that have a strong track record in both quality of artistic product and a genuine desire to communicate to a diverse audience. We do not believe that the Rep would deliberately set out to offend any particular community.
Sampad disagrees with the statement that it "rarely promotes positive Sikh images or Sikh artists". Sampad works with artists from many different faiths and cultural groups, and prides itself in its efforts to be as inclusive as possible to the region’s many diverse communities.
In fact, a very high proportion of the artists involved in sampad are of Punjabi Sikh origin, and their contribution is greatly valued. For example, we have programmed Sikh devotional music as well as large scale productions of classic Punjabi epics such as Heer Ranja and Layla Majnun.
There will inevitably be a range of opinions and reactions to the play and its content, even from within the Sikh community itself. We welcome the debate that this play has opened, but urge that this is kept within the bounds of decency and tolerance.
Sampad's website
We agree with the statement made by representatives from the Sikh community that it is legitimate to deal with issues of corruption, and welcome the opportunity for discussion that the production opens. However, the content and style of Behzti are open to interpretation.
Theatre is often intended to provoke its audience into thinking more deeply about the issues it raises. This particular piece deals with issues of corruption and hypocrisy that are uncomfortable to face, but can and do happen in any institution, religious or otherwise.
Sampad is not responsible for the content and production of this play, but is co-promoting it with the Birmingham Rep as part of a joint initiative to encourage new South Asian audiences. Sampad co-promotes with organisations that have a strong track record in both quality of artistic product and a genuine desire to communicate to a diverse audience. We do not believe that the Rep would deliberately set out to offend any particular community.
Sampad disagrees with the statement that it "rarely promotes positive Sikh images or Sikh artists". Sampad works with artists from many different faiths and cultural groups, and prides itself in its efforts to be as inclusive as possible to the region’s many diverse communities.
In fact, a very high proportion of the artists involved in sampad are of Punjabi Sikh origin, and their contribution is greatly valued. For example, we have programmed Sikh devotional music as well as large scale productions of classic Punjabi epics such as Heer Ranja and Layla Majnun.
There will inevitably be a range of opinions and reactions to the play and its content, even from within the Sikh community itself. We welcome the debate that this play has opened, but urge that this is kept within the bounds of decency and tolerance.
Sampad's website
