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Now unveiling Lucknow
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DIWAN SINGH BAJELI speaks to Mohan Kulshrestha who ploughs a lonely furrow for theatre in Uttar Pradesh.
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Suraya Mohan Kulshreshtha.
AS A child he loved theatre and participated in plays but he quit it soon thinking theatre was for children to while away time. "One day a friend insisted on my accompanying him to see a drama. It brought back my childhood memories of theatre and changed my misconception about theatre. I decided to join the dramatic activities in the town and gradually, it dawned on me that theatre is more than a mere source of entertainment," recalls Suraya Mohan Kulshreshtha whose production of Ugo Betti's "Begum Aur Baagi" was featured at the Bharat Rang Mahotsav recently. "I view theatre that reflects social life with its inherent contradictions and makes us better human beings," he adds.
A postgraduate in Zoology, Kulshreshtha is from the first batch of students who obtained diploma from the Bharatendu Natya Akademi, Lucknow. He is a founder member of the National Institute of Progressive Art, Rangmandli, Lucknow. "Our maiden production was "Bhawadajjukeeyam". It was indeed a great honour for us to be invited to the World Theatre Festival, Norway to present it , he says. "Twenty five countries participated in this international theatre event. Our production was adjudged the best. We were given the honour to lead the procession of the participants at the festival end." Recipient of UP Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Rang Yatra Samman and Bhartiya Fankar Award, Kulshreshtha has directed about 80 plays. His outstanding productions include "Bhagwadajjukeeyam", "King Oedipus", "Caucasian Chalk Circle", "Ramleela" and "Mrichchhakatikam". NIPA Rangmandli under his direction has been presenting plays at national and international theatre festivals. The groups under his direction have presented three productions at the NSD's prestigious Bharat Rang Mahotsav-2000-2003 and 2005. "Bhagwadajjukeeyam" is being frequently revived. He did it in Finland with the artistes of that country in Finnish. Indians artistes delivered their lines in Hindi. "Working with Finnish artistes for two month was a rewarding experience." The original Hindi version was featured at the International Theatre Festival, Lahore, last year. About theatre in Lucknow, Kulshreshtha says it is very much alive despite no State patronage. "Our theatre scene cannot be compared with that of West Bengal and Maharashtra but as far as Hindi belt is concerned, Lucknow is in the forefront. There are about 50 amateur theatre groups, though only eight are active. We have Bharatendu Natya Akademi and a professional theatre repertory company. There are five auditoriums in town and two are well-equipped. But with no tradition of theatre-going, little commitment of young theatre workers, no interest of the State and corporate world, I do not see possibility of emerging a good professional theatre here so soon.
New play
As a director, he believes in the supremacy of the actor. "I give maximum opportunity to my actors for improvisation." While conceiving his production, the designing of the sets comes to the last. "Sets should not dominate a production."Kulshreshtha is busy right now in the production of his forthcoming offering. "We are working on a ballet based on Jahanara's life in Kathak style with music by Gulshan Bharati. The cast has eight dancers and seven stage actors. The choreography is by Rosella Finneli, an Italian Kathak dancer." The script, visualisation and stage direction is by Kulshreshtha. "The ballet promises to be visually enchanting, aurally thrilling and emotionally stirring which will be presented at Taj Mahotsav on February 19.
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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