In love with theatre

Aditi Raina

Aarushi Thakur Rana, the young face of theatre, comes up with another theatrical drama Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare, which will be performed at Tagore Theatre today. Even though there is not much change in the essence of the story, a few modifications here and there lend uniqueness to the original text. “Shakespeare had written Juliet as a gullible, slightly vulnerable little girl with dreams and expectations, but, I have portrayed Juliet as a strong confident girl. She believes in herself and is determined go wherever her heart takes her,” shares Aarushi.

For this young girl, who directed her first play at the age of 22, theatre is more than just a profession; it’s where she belongs.

A graduate from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, Aarushi studied International Relations from the University of Leicester, UK. Despite pursuing academics, Aarushi always kept her passion intact; she went in for various acting workshops, most notably in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London and also got selected for the Young Directors Workshop in the National School of Drama. Daughter of nationally acclaimed theatre person Balwant Thakur, Aarushi took up theatre because she feels it is an amalgamation of all arts—music, dance, craft and designing. “It is not just a form of live art but a medium of self-actualisation.”

Why Shakespeare?

As a child I enjoyed William Shakespeare’s work but I understood it only when I read it a thousand times over. I feel that every line written by him has a deeper imbedded meaning. I would like the Indian audience to have a better appreciation for it. I live in England and I regularly watch the performances presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In fond memory of…

Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust launches the Chandigarh Chapter of Innovation in Art event to be held on June 25, 2018 at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh.

It is being organised to commemorate the 119th birth anniversary of first Maha Vir Chakra recipient Brig Rajinder Singh and honour the Dogra warrior and his band of soldiers' supreme sacrifice, who in 1947 fought against Pakistan thus preventing Jammu and Kashmir from falling into enemy hands. —TNS