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For theatre lovers
SHYAMHARI CHAKRA
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The Rang Pratibha festival saw young theatre artistes showcasing their talent.
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Photo: Lingaraj Panda
Play time A scene from ‘Maunsa’
The week-long Rang Pratibha festival for young theatre directors of Orissa mounted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, in Bhubaneswar last week to spot new talent came as a boon for the marginalised theatre sector of the State. Sandwiched betwee
n severe lack of governmental or public patronage and dearth of professional grooming, aspiring theatre artistes in Orissa have lamented the lack of opportunities. And the Akademi that teamed up with its counterpart in the State provided the much-needed platform for proving their potential.
The first of its kind for Orissa, the festival featured 10 young directors under the age of 35 from different parts of the State, chosen by a committee of experts. The Akademi also invited four theatre experts from four zones of the country as observers of the event who, along with the local experts, had brain-storming deliberations with the directors, their troupe members and the audience on the following day of the play’s presentation. With a unique theme and treatment, Ahata Murchhana, the play presented by Ganjam Kala Parishad of Berhampur stood out as a class of its own. Inspired by a real-life story of the region, it dealt with the complex world of transsexuals.
Scripted by Rabi Narayan Behera and directed by Kamakshi Prasad Patra, the uniqueness of this drama was that it never appeared dramatic but life-like. And as curtains came down, the audience empathised with all the characters. Chaitu, presented by Prayas theatre group of Rourkela and directed by Prafulla Chandra Sethi, was another poignant play that moved the audience. Although it revolved round the effects of caste system on human relationships, it never appeared didactic.
Nagamandala.
Based on the rows over displacement for industrialisation in tribal pockets that has rocked Orissa in recent years, Maet Maa (mother earth) directed by Parameswar Mund and staged by Adim theatres of Bhawanipatna of Kalahandi district had a natural flavour for use of the Sambalpuri dialect, costume, jewellery and music that the tribal people use. The director also chose to use tribal dance sequences to show change of scenes.
Oriya adaptation of Girish Karnad’s most popular Kannada play Nagamandal (by NQ theatre of Bhubaneswar), directed by Nalini Nihar Nayak, stretched for over two hours. And yet, its powerful plot and presentation by the dedicated band had a thoroughly gripping effect on the audience. Also impressive were Kayakalpa byRangashala group of Puri, Maunsa of Uttarayani Club, Jatni, Titli and No exit by Bhubaneswar-based troupes Mirror and Maskman theatres respectively. The festival’s lone lady director – Susmita Rana – with her Nayeeka troupe from Balasore failed to live up to expectations.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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