Faridabad women take to theatre to de-stress

Bijendra Ahlawat

When like-minded people with good intentions come together the universe also conspires for their success. That’s what happened to this group of 14 women, an eclectic mix of homemakers, business owners and professionals who took to theatre as a means of entertainment and stress management.

The group known as “Aarambh: Ek Nai Shuruaat” is perhaps the first all-women group in the city. Feeling the vacuum in personal lives and the overall cultural environment in Faridabad, these women chose to be the change they wanted to see and being part of the movement that had been sidelined due to fast lifestyles and availability of ready-mix alternatives such as cinema, shopping and travel.

Their energy got a boost, as they chanced to meet a dynamic young theatre director, Abhishek Deswal, who not only helped them get initial training, but also stage shows. While two shows have been staged in the past 10 months, the next one is lined up in November end or early December this year.

The group made their first formal stage appearance at the HUDA convention centre at Sector 12 in Faridabad on July 27, 2018, with self-scripted play “Shaadi Ke Syappe”: A light-hearted comedy about marriage, family and love of a middle-class person. Earlier in December 2017, the group had staged a show titled “Bus Yuhin” (about relationships) at the residence of one of the members in Faridabad. The audience had appreciated both plays, though the actors were not professionals, claims Seema Lalani, a prominent member of the group.

Seema, one of those who took the initiative to form the group, was impressed by the shows organised by the Sambharya Foundation headed by Abhishek Deswal, a professional theatre artiste hailing from Palwal. “I have been a fan of theatre since my college days and wanted to take it as a hobby after my marriage,” says Seema, who is married to a leading industrialist in Faridabad. “I couldn't find any group in Faridabad and going to Delhi wasn't feasible, till I met Abhishek at his festival two years ago. He helped us in forming our own group and growing together with friends became a reality, she claims. “Theatre being life and a team game gives me an adrenaline rush and there are no second chances. It is a challenge that I enjoy,” says Vandana Khemka, another member. According to Nupur Khetan, another active participant, it is a dynamic and creatively fulfilling medium, as it encompasses writing, singing and other art forms as well. “It has been a journey of self discovery and I feel our audience is growing with us too,” says Khetan. Team work, confluence of ideas, and brainstorming for script have been both thrilling and challenging, he adds.

The Faridabad Industries Association has extended its support to the group. Lalani claims that the journey that began with an urge for self discovery was aimed at not only promoting art and culture in this manner but also to wean away the younger generation from becoming an addict of electronic media. Seema’s team comprises Vandana Khemka, Vani Sareen, Meena Kapoor, Anupam Bohra, Nupur Khetan, Anu Khetan, Chitwan Agarwal, Karuna Mittal, Suditi Garg, Mishu Agarwal, Preeti Lamba, Megha Gupta, and Khusboo Lalani.