Gen-next brings theatre of social relevance to Delhi stage
Theatre is a mirror, a sharp reflection of society. The greatest playwrights are moralists.” This quote by French playwright-actornovelist, Yasmina Reza, comes to the mind when one reads about the 15 plays that will be staged in Delhi, as part of the upcoming 17th Old World Theatre Festival.
The line-up includes a Kutiyattam performance from the state of Kerala that recently faced the fury of one the most devastating floods, and a production themed on the transgender festival in Tamil Nadu’s Koovagam village. The latter reminds one of the need for inclusivity that got highlighted during the section 377 debate.
Mention a subject that’s trending in news and you will most likely find a play based on it, at this annual festival. The organisers credit this to the new generation of theatre practitioners. Vidyun Singh, director programmes, Habitat World, says, “The past few years have seen a growing change in the Indian theatre milieu, as a new generation of theatre practitioners come into its own. This generation is giving voice to contemporary issues. This brave new tribe is evolving new forms and perspectives, claiming nontraditional performance spaces and making them work to their advantage.”
The power of this new generation’s passion is so high that they are undeterred by the practical concerns of revenue models, escalating costs of limited performance space, and paucity of sponsors. Take for instance, Amey Mehta, the director of the play One Night Only. He confesses that he couldn’t support a transgender to act in his play due to the scarcity of funds.
“The story of my play is based around the festival that happens in Koovagam, where transgenders from different parts of the country get together, get married to Aravan god, and then lament his death. I was really keen to cast a transgender actor for this, but couldn’t provide the kind of financial support that they were looking for... So, I brought on board transgender consultants who understand the nuances of this festival,” says Mehta.
The narratives and metaphors of these dramas are not just thought-provoking but also inspirational, humorous, and poignant. Anahita Uberoi, director of the play Gaa Re Maa — a play about two mothers and their sons with music at its heart — says, “It’s a story about bringing together different tastes, genres, and journeys. It’s about celebrating the essence of all that really matters — knowing who you really are and chasing your dreams. While it’s a story of four people, it’s a story about all of us,” says Uberoi.