On to the big stage

Mona

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If you go by the numbers, they swelled. Theatre in Chandigarh remains a favourite pastime with many and ticketed or not, most shows saw a houseful in 2017!

When it comes to quality, did we show any upswing? Well, the verdict remains divided. It started with International Puppet Festival, followed by Jaspal Bhatti Humour Festival, and Chandigarh Art and Heritage Festival and more, spread throughout the year. Theatre for Theatre, Alankar Theatre, Samvaad Theatre and Suchetak Rang Manch continued its tradition of having fests in 2017. The big win, however, was ticketed theatre gaining popularity in City Beautiful.

Classical note

The Pracheen Kala Kendra held two classical music and dance festivals this year, featuring legends like Ajoy Chakraborti and Rajan Sajan Mishra, in addition to monthly baithaks. Sanskar Bharti organised two theatre festivals besides music conferences. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) staged 18 programmes, including six by foreign troupes. City-based artist Chainis Gill was given the Sangeet Natak Akademi Bismillah Khan award in folk music. – SD Sharma

Golden year

“I would call it a golden year,” says Balkar Sidhu, director, Tagore Theatre. From opening a mini- auditorium to new ticket window and AC halls provided free of cost to theatre groups for practice, he lists the highs. “No entertainment tax on tickets up to Rs 200 was another step in the right direction,” says Balkar, who was happy to see most shows have the theatre packed to capacity.  

Beyond borders

Another high of this year was Neelam Man Singh Chowdhry’s Dark Borders, which that opened up at her favourite place — Rock Garden. “I love to see the audience gaze over my plays here in Chandigarh. For one — there is no stratification. There would be a banker, student, theatre veteran and a first-timer to see the play; a motley group,” says Neelam, whose play about Partition was a huge hit.  “One festival or the other on, theatre has become an integral part of the cultural calendar of city, which is very heartening,” shares this renowned theatre thespian.

Young guns

Relatively fresher lot of theatre activists seem enthused as well! “It is heartening to note that city folks are paying money to see a play,” says Gurpreet Sarwara, who has seen the scene changing — from literally dragging audience from homes to make them watch a play to people queuing up to buy tickets!

Flip side

However, all is not hunky dory. CEVA Drama Repertory Company continued clowning and Sukhmani Kohli-directed play Atkal Pachchu was one production this year. Its mentor GS Channi paints a rather dismal picture. “Adiyal ghoda pul par atka, na tas na mas — is how theatre scene has been not only in 2017, but couple of years now.” He is appalled that its literal translations are being enacted on stage without adding any dimension whatsoever! “It’s rather unfortunate that even the plays from theatre groups outside Chandigarh are less than mediocre. Now imagine a person spending 500 to see a below average play!” he adds.

While those on the other side of the fence counter that experimentation in art does not always finds acceptance. Usha Sharma, an avid theatre-goer, reasons, “When it comes to plays, it’s all about how well you gel or not with the director’s vision. I enjoyed Dark Borders; bold it was and found Dreamz-Saher very disappointing considering that it had stage stalwarts Pankaj Kapur and Supriya Pathak. However, my college-going daughter found the first tad too serious and loved Saher.”

National appeal

Dr Mahesh Devnani, another theatre enthusiast is glad that not only one gets to enjoy celebrated playwrights through local theatre groups, but also known names from the nation make an appearance from time to time. “Well, one has ample options as the theatre calendar is handsomely full. Be it folk or modern, one gets to savour variety throughout the year,” says this doctor.

Well, more to come!

mona@tribunemail.com