Raise a toast to 2016!

Here’s wishing you all a super, duper new year!

Let me begin this new year post by declaring something I read somewhere.

Theatre was created to tell the truth about life.

Now, I’m really not sure where I came across this quote, or if it is by some famous personality, but it has stayed with me ever since I read it. Maybe because a lot of what I saw on stage this year, and the years before, has made me think deeply about things I never gave a second thought to, reflect on things I never imagined I needed to, and at times, even question some of my own beliefs. Theatre, let me tell you, can be quite an eye-opener.

Last year, I managed to pack in a number of good stage performances, heard some veterans open their hearts about their passion for theatre, and generally soak in the positive energy that only a good theatre experience can induce. The year began with the Aditya Birla Group’s super initiative Aadyam, with the purpose of bringing theatre closer to people. 2015 also saw the grand musical Beauty and The Beast being performed in Delhi and Mumbai. The NCPA and Prithvi Theatre, again drew in theatre lovers with their respective festivals.

           Gauhar will be staged as part of Lillete Dubey's play festival

But the new year is upon us now, and there’s lots more to look forward to in the world of art and culture. The success of Aadyam has ensured that we get another round of five new plays this year too. The talented Shankar Mahadevan will lead an ensemble of 22 musicians in a musical production which will seek to capture the diversity of India’s musical legacy at the NCPA at the end of this month. Pack your bags and head to Jaipur as the city gears up for the Jaipur Lit Fest from January 21 to 25. Renowned speakers and literary heavyweights include Stephen Fry, Margaret Atwood, Esther Freud among others.

While Akvarious completed their 15 years last year, Lillete Dubey’s theatre company Primetime Theatre completes 25 years this year, and some of their best plays including Dance Like A Man, Adhe Adhure, Wedding Album, 30 Days in September among others will be staged at three different venues in the city from January 15 onward. It’s a landmark year for Rage as well, as it will be 15 years since they conducted their first workshop in 2001. Ten brand new plays will mark their Writers’ Bloc to be staged in April this year.

                           Rage's Writers' Bloc will take place in April

Imran Zahid, the actor who played the lead role in Mahesh Bhatt’s play Hamari Adhuri Kahani, tells us that this year, we will also get to watch Milne Do, an Indo-Pak collaborative play, in which actors from both countries will be seen promoting the message of peace. “While I play the main lead, the actress cast opposite me is from Pakistan,” he adds. Ustad Ghulam Ali will be lending his voice for a song in the play which will be staged in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lahore and Karachi. Rajat Kapoor continues his love for Shakespeare and is again donning the director’s hat for a new play, As You Like It. The play is expected to be staged in the first week of March.  

And while all these guys are doing their best to give us an awesome stage experience in the new year, let’s keep the spirit of theatre alive by encouraging and supporting their endeavours. The Art Addict plans to make the most of this journey. Will you?

Cheers!

Much love, 

The Art Addict

PS: The closing shows of Manav Kaul’s Colour Blind, based on the life and works of Tagore, are at Prithvi Theatre on January 7, 8 and 9. If you haven’t already seen it, then this is your chance.