By Ramesh Mathew
HIGH rents, lack of accessible venues and perhaps the waning attraction of all-too-familiar performers have deterred organisers from hosting stage programmes for Indian expatriates during Eid.
Some of those who regularly conduct shows in Doha said the trebling of rates of some venues for the Eid period have made it impossible for them to stage programmes this year. “The rents during Eid at regular stage venues like the Doha and Gulf cinemas have risen by more than 200 -250% and it has made our task extremely difficult,” said Mohamed Essa of Ali International Trading Establishment.
Essa, who hosted more than 30 shows in the 10 years prior to  2006, said the accessibility of venues also mattered.
The ground at the Indian Community Recreation Centre in Mansoura used to be a favourite for stage shows during Eid, he said. “Now that it is no longer there and no other new venue has come up, organisers are left with few other choices.”
P Mustafa of Doha Stage also said high rents were a deterrent. “Our inquiries with venue officials this time have been far from encouraging. Each of them asked for high rates that organisers could not afford,” he said.
He said Khalifa Complex could hold a large crowd but it would be difficult to stage shows there during the busy Eid period owing to the traffic congestion along the Corniche in the evenings. Moreover, people from the Industrial Area would find it difficult to reach the venue.
Shibu Philip of Manuarts too expressed his inability to host shows during Eid, citing high rents at venues like Doha Cinema. This year the daily rent at the complex is said to be around QR25,000-QR 30,000. A Kuwaiti group has booked the venue for staging plays during the three days.
Organisers feel that audiences are turned off by the same artistes being featured too often. A playback singer who will stage a show at the Ideal Indian School grounds during Eid had performed twice at Doha Cinema less than a year ago. “Bringing him again for yet another show is risky indeed,” said an organiser who did not want to be identified.  He said most stage shows suffered from this drawback.
As of now, Indians have little to look forward to in terms of entertainment this Eid.