The return of theater stages is seen as a step to enter the world of web series

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Theater troupes have made a grand comeback in Indore capturing the imagination of a diverse and enthusiastic audience. The attraction of both acting participation and a keen audience has led to a renewed interest in the world of live performance.

Indore boasts a strong theater scene with over 15 active troupes covering both Hindi and Marathi theater productions.

One such group, Natya Bharti has been around for the past 68 years and is one of the oldest groups in Indore, creating a scene in both Marathi and Hindi. Founded by Baba Dike, Rahul Barpute and Vishnu Chinchalkar, the group is now headed by Shiram Jogi. Sharing his views on the changing atmosphere of theater groups, Jog said, “In the past, theater groups operated with limited resources and capacity and faced challenges in presenting their craft to the audience. However, the landscape has undergone a transformational change with technological advances, increased awareness and improved facilities.”

“The growing interest of young people to pursue acting careers in television and web series has become the driving force behind the emergence of theater groups. These groups, which function as stepping stones, provide budding actors with a valuable platform to develop their skills, gain experience and showcase their talent,” said Chaitanya Shah of the Rangrupia Theater group.

According to the Sandeep Dubey Group of Arts and Drama, “Theatre builds students’ confidence, helps them make career choices – acting, directing, singing, dancing. Parents believe that theater acts as a bridge to the big screen. Today, the audience actively participates by purchasing tickets to attend a live performance.”

Dilip Lokre, a seasoned theater artist, emphasized that like classical music, which requires dedicated practice and consistency for optimum results, theater also requires rigorous effort. Drawing parallels, he said that acting classes are similar to light music – they only focus on singing, but theater, like classical music, leads to overall development.

Nitish Upadhaya, leading Anavaratt group, highlighted the influence of theater on budding actors. Famous figures like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi have attributed their success to the valuable learning experiences they received from theater groups.

The evolution of theater groups over time has witnessed a shift from conventional realism to a more experimental and multidimensional approach.

Indeed, there has been a shift in focus in modern theatre, with increased attention paid to design and direction, including music, scenery, costumes and the visual presentation of characters.

Contemporary plays tend towards experimental forms like ‘Nukaad Natak’ which is different from the traditional box stage format seen in Lok Sayali which was mainly focused on social issues.

In the past, plays tended toward realism, depicting situations that closely resembled everyday life. However, modern plays have taken a more contemplative approach, allowing for interpretation and abstraction.

Posted: Sunday, November 26, 2023, 01:55 IST