Back to the Roots

It is believed that to know your present,knowledge of the past is essential.

The Festival celebrates different forms of traditional theatre

It is believed that to know your present,knowledge of the past is essential. And when it comes to theatre,the rich repertory of folk performing traditions define contemporary Indian theatre. To understand what we view today,we must know the past theatre traditions, says Kamal Tewari,chairperson of the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi,as he talks about the upcoming Festival of Theatre Traditions. Organised in collaboration between the Delhi and Chandigarh Akademis,the six-day festival that begins on October 6,will comprise Nautanki,Tamasha and Yakshagana. Tewari points out that the folk forms are strongly based on ritualistic celebrations of local gods and goddesses,love legends,war heroes,historical characters and stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. He adds,In Indian folk theatre traditions,the stage properties are few and simple. Sans elaborate scenery,stage sets and props,the effects are produced by gestures,music,dance and speech patterns. A dramatic performance becomes an art when recitation,gestures,movements and dance are used to rouse the sentiments of the audience.

The festival opens with two shows of Nautanki,which has a huge fan following in rural India. While the form originated in Punjab,it developed in Uttar Pradesh in the 14th century. The act begins with a prayer,followed by an introduction to the narrative and then the main drama. The setting is minimalist, adds Tewari. To be staged on October 6 and 7,while one narrative tells the tale of Amar Singh Rathore,the brave group commander of Shah Jahan,the other is based on the devotee Poornmal.

On the following days,Tamasha the popular performing art of Maharashtara will be staged. Dance and music remains an integral part of its two types,Deewan-e-aam and Deewan-e-khas.

The festival will conclude with Yakshagana,the traditional theatre of Karnataka. The plays will be a blend of stylistic elements from Sanskrit drama and songs performed in temples and village squares,with the theme usually based on battles and acts of heroism. The dialogues are impromptu and also include poetic stories of Kartheeryaarjun Kalaga,an episode from Ramayana and Vaalivadham,that deals with the incident leading to killing of Vaali,the king of monkeys.

The plays will be staged from October 6 to 11,at the Punjab Kala Bhavan,at 6.30. Passes can be collected from the office of the Akademi,First Floor,State Library,Sector 34,from 10 am to 5 pm.

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