Donning Many Hats

ACTOR, PLAYWRIGHT AND DIRECTOR, MEERA SITARAMAN, TALKS TO SIMPLY CHENNAI ABOUT HER LOVE FOR THE CRAFT

Q. What brought you to theatre and what were some of your first experiences? A. I have always loved being on stage. I actually used to try and be a part of all the annual plays in school. I particularly remember a role I played in X I standard under the direction of Feisal Alkazi. I am still referred to as Geeta Bai when I go back to school.

Q. From sociology to medical anthropology and then theatre, tell us about your journey. A. I found a way to marry the education I got with my craft. Academics still helps me while I take classes, write or approach any other aspect of theatre. All that I have learnt has only helped broaden my understanding of humans—and theatre is human.

Q. How did you become a theatre instructor and how does it add to your own learning of the craft? A. Teaching theatre came as a default while assisting V Balakrishnan of Theatre Nisha with his classes. I love working with children, so I guess I turned into a teacher eventually. Every day one learns something new when working with them—stories, designs, etc. It also adds an immense amount of patience necessary for the craft.

Q. What are some of your biggest achievements as a theatre artiste? A. Acting solo and being a part of all the theatre festivals I’ve performed at, including the Edinburgh Fringe, getting short-listed for The Hindu Playwright Award in 2016, being a part of the International Puppet and Body Theatre residency with Performance Group Tuida from South Korea and getting selected for the Writer’s Bloc Workshop.

Q. What are you currently working on? A. I am travelling with Theatre Nisha with their existing repertoire of plays and working towards Bhasa’s Urubhangam, our next big production.

I found a way to marry the education I got with the my craft. Academics has helped me broaden my understanding of theatre.