4. Created Community Based Theatre Groups! -Manjul Bhardwaj

Created Community Based Theatre Groups!

-Manjul Bhardwaj

After overwhelming response & support from audience we were not able to meet people’s demand for performances. What a scenario that was in 1993-1994! On one side there were theatrewalas crying for audience, on the other side audience was demanding performances & we were not able to meet their demand. Yes I am talking about Indian Theatre, relevant theatre, people’s theatre!

We changed our strategy.  Performances & training became our forte. We started training community youth who were inclined towards ‘Theatre of Relevance’. We conducted series of workshops on play writing, acting, direction, purpose of theatre & other theatre related nuances required for developing a play. We motivated various community based cultural & social mandals to organize these workshops & bear the cost. After understanding the concept & objectives of the workshop, cultural & social mandals obliged & provided there spaces for the workshops.

This was a fantastic & fabulous phase. At times you just not get an auditorium for performance or place for rehearsal. But during this period we were having countless space for workshops, performances & rehearsals that also free of cost. Whenever now you visit any place in Mumbai just observe community spaces. You will be thrilled mandals, halls, Baudh Mandir, Kreeda mandals etc. We utilized there spaces & converted into Theatre spaces.

We developed performing groups all over Mumbai. From Colaba to Kandivali , Kalbadevi to Kalyan, Wadala to Belapur, Lalbaugh to Dharavi ! We aligned all groups & mandals to Theatre of Relevance, made theatre a regular feature of their cultural calendar.

Youth trained during this period are contributing very well in the society & theatre. Some of them are now know theatre & cinema artists. Some are educationists, child rights & social activists.

As a Theatre person you have your choice & purpose. But is it fair to label personal limitations as limitation of theatre? It is your choice to perform in a remote auditorium in one corner of Mumbai & then pass judgment that there is no audience in theatre! Have you ever analyzed on your understanding of Theatre? Have you understood the concern of the audience? Have you ever get out of this cocoon of entertainment? Are you only performing for handful ‘entertainment’ seekers? Do you think theatre is only for entertainment?

You are free to think what you want to think about theatre. But please don’t publicize your limitations as Limitations of Theatre. You may be an excellent actor, may be a film star.. Doing theatre for handful ‘entertainment’ seekers, May be covered in weekly glossy pages of print media, but that does not make you the main stream theatre practitioner. For the main stream theatre practitioner you have to connect to masses & perform on their issues!

Theatre is a collective medium. Theatre is actor’s medium is a false notion. Sure actor is face but not soul of theatre. That’s why you need to have an accomplished sense of all disciplines which makes theatre a collective, inclusive & comprehensive live performing art!

Is perpetuation of western model of theatre & auditoriums fulfills the cultural needs of India? Is it durable & economically affordable? Once upon a time with government support in your life you can perform in an old fort but that does not become a regular feature. So explore different ways & design your performing spaces which are economically affordable & easily accessible to audience. Let me reiterate people have budget to support theatre. Provided you commit to people’s theatre.

Just connect to the conscience of masses & audience will never let you down!

#TheatreofRelevance #Communitytheatregroups #conscience #audience #ManjulBhardwaj

…to be continued…