Thursday, April 30, 2009

Theatre Can Never Get Marginalised by Films






Theatre Can Never Get Marginalised by Films
by SHOMA PATNAIK


A poet, novelist, director and actor, Mr Ratan Thiyam, is all that and more. This well known resident of north-east India, is an impressive personality to meet. Known to be an absolute powerhouse of artistic talent with a recent John D Rockefeller Award, to his credit the man is famous for always putting forward the case of dearly loved, home-state: Manipur. All in all, achievements reflecting deep, abiding, feelings for native land.
Yet, success sits lightly on the great shoulders. Down to earth and engrossed in teaching, he looks deeply involved with the artistes in the isolated environs of the �Black Box, Kala Academy, Panjim. It is a theatre workshop that Mr Thiyam has come down for, and there are no pompous airs while getting the point across to the local students.
Today, the workshop ends, so naturally there is a host of last minute guidance to be given before signing off. Everything has to be just right for the man; the background music, props, ambience and even complete silence from the small group of interested observers watching unobtrusively. Meantime, during a break our visitor is genial enough to grant a quick interview, taking time to reply to each question with a lot of thought.
How does it feel, visiting Goa for the first time and interacting with our budding dramatists? �Fantastic,� is the reply before adding �it is very refreshing kind of experience for me, being in the midst of all these enthusiastic people, who are so very fresh in exposure.�
Our visitor from up north continues happily, �I never thought, I would enjoy myself so much, as this is something that has not been taken up by me for a long time. These days, I am more busy with own experimental theatre. Clearly, teaching is a different experience altogether.�
But, can acting be taught, considering that it is inherently creative in nature? �To a certain extent,� is the response, before going on to explain that the most important aspect to teaching is �to bring out the hidden soul of an actor.�
So, according to this playwright, who has brought out many successful productions in the past, �Each actor has his own calibre or talent.� But, it needs to be �brought out in front of an audience.� Thus, there are certain techniques in acting that could be taught to aspiring actors that could make it easier for them to �express themselves better on stage.�
Pointing out, how Manipur, among the states of north-east India has a rich cultural lineage, Mr Thiyam elaborates, �Theatre, among us is a tradition that goes a long time back. Besides, the linkages from Bengal, the residents have also benefited from their own ethnic �Maite� community background that digs deep into traditional folk lore.�
Yet, one cannot help asking, what about competition from commercial films, that is taking away audience from theatre? �No! No!� the disagreement with this general perception is vigorous and quick. Our eminent personality states, �Many people have the notion that theatre has got marginalised, but that is not so.� He continues, �Theatre has been surviving from the last 6,000 years and will continue to do so. It is like any good work of art with a timeless appeal. Plays that are well crafted and with a story line will grab peoples attention and get the audience to theatres.


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