New Chancellor of NAMUDA Nisha Sharma is 'overwhelmed', but already has plans to take Nepali theatre and music forward
KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 18
She has secured her space in Nepali theatre as a critically-acclaimed actress - be it Nora of The Doll's House or the Buddhist nun in the Agni Ko Katha, Nisha Sharma has always amazed theatregoers with her performances. From being a founding member of one of the pioneer theatre organisations of the country Aarohan Gurukul to heading the drama department of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama (NAMUDA), she has traversed a long journey in the world of Nepali theatre.
Now she has added one more feather to her list of achievements in the world of theatre - she has been appointed Chancellor of NAMUDA, the first female chancellor at that.
"It was beyond my dreams," she told The Himalayan Times about her appointment as she had expected that she would be "continuing in my previous position (as the Head of Drama department) at the Academy during this new appointment".
But the government chose her to lead the organisation and she describes it: "As you can see in the cartoons, a big cloud above your head with lightning striking anytime without your knowing - the same thing happened to me. I did not expect I'd become the chancellor."
The appointment has made Sharma more than happy as she looks forward to make the most of her tenure for the advancement of Nepali music and drama.
Taking NAMUDA to an international level has been one of her major priorities. She explained, "It has been 12 years since the establishment of NA- MUDA, but it is yet to receive any international recognition," and revealed to work towards creating that recognition while also looking for ways to generate income for NAMUDA via international sources.
The theatre veteran views culture as a very important thing as "it is connected with many factors, including tourism". Therefore, she plans "to create an archive, and document folk music and plays of Nepal".
This step, Sharma believes will allow people from around the world to access the documents for research purposes, helping to preserve the skills and culture of Nepal.
Organising international festivals around theatre, music and Skanda Gautam / THT dance are her other objectives, with a particular focus on the preservation of Nepal's folk dance and music for future generations.
With so many ideas and plans in her basket, Sharma is looking forward to a productive and busy tenure at NAMUDA.
Sharma, who started her theatre journey in 1982, says she was never distracted by the happiest or saddest moments in her life.
"So many times I was on an empty stomach, I didn't have money to even buy milk for my son. Even in such moments, I didn't leave acting in theatre. I dealt with lots of ups and downs in my life."
Now that she has reached one of the highest positions for any theatre professional, she said she is "overwhelmed as the government has recognised my work and efforts".
She added, "I don't know how successful I will become regarding my position, but I believe that I can take NAMUDA a step ahead from where it is now."
Recounting her initial experience in acting, she remembered meeting Sunil Pokharel (now her husband) and director Badri Adhikari on her way home from school. The men were in search of someone to play the character of a sister in a play.
As it happened, Sharma's sister was cast as the lead, and the two men requested Sharma to read the dialogue. Despite her sister's worries that it would impact her studies, Pokhrel and Adhikari took on the responsibility of facilitating Sharma's involvement in the production.
This marked her foray into professional acting.
Sharma's illustrious career includes notable performances in plays including Mayadeviko Sapana, and 4.48 Psychosis, among others.
One of her notable performances was in the Nepali adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House. Ibsen's play was used as a theatrical tool during the women's rights movement in Europe. In the play's Nepali adaptation, Sharma played the character of Nora, a married woman who fights against gender discrimination. It left a lasting impact on the audience.
And she looks forward to create an impact as a chancellor too. "I want to introduce the works of NAMUDA before the world and get them recognition," she said and hoped that her efforts will contribute to the growth of Nepali theatre as she feels the theatre industry has been sluggish since the COVID-19 pandemic due to financial limitations and a lack of audience.
To tackle this problem, she has some ideas. "We plan to provide scholarships to aspiring students to educate them about theatre and their essential elements in depth."
She hopes to construct own building for NAMUDA and "we are preparing to present a proposal to the government".
Sharma also said all artistes should have a strong sense of responsibility towards their nation.
"As actors we don't only give entertainment. The message we give or present is going to make a long term impact on the audience,"she said and that is what she expects to deliver in her new role as well. For that she is resigning as Aarohan's founding member till her four years' tenure at NAMUDA.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 19, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
