A twist in the play

Theatre has been so much a part of Indian culture that it’s where some of the renowned Bollywood names have cut their teeth. However, it is struggling to keep its identity alive in the present-day, tech-driven frenzy, prompting some of the veterans to suggest it be given a cinematic and digital feel to make it more relatable and reachable to the young.

Film and theatre actress Sonali Kulkarni feels theatre is an important part of “our culture and it is our responsibility to pass on the legacy to the upcoming generations”.

Joy Sengupta, another theatre veteran, echoed this and also pointed to the limitation of theatre.

“Performing art is experienced live and is experienced by several people at any one given time and at one given venue. But a particular performance cannot reach everywhere. That is the limitation of theatre,” Sengupta said.

So, is the emergence of new age Bollywood stories taking away the essence of watching a play?

“I don’t think so,” said Sengupta, adding: “I think Bollywood has actually benefited from theatre. The best of actors, the best of writers, best of directors have actually come from theatre.” 

The cinematic format will give theatre a new boost, Mita Vashisht, whose oeuvre spans theatre, TV and films, pointed out. “When it comes to educating the youth about the significance of theatre, exposing them to the exemplary performances of theatre stalwarts and reviving its glory, the cinematic format of theatre is the way to go,” Vashisht said.

Aiming to preserving the art of drama and emotions of theatre, increasing its reach beyond a few privileged cities and taking it to audiences short of time, Tata Sky has recently launched Tata Sky Theatre — a 24-hour dedicated platform to provide an ad-free theatre-watching experience on digital devices. —IANS