Master’s Stroke

With more than six decades on stage and behind it,Arora has won this award for life-long contribution to theatre. It’s been a journey that he describes as emotionally and spiritually fulfilling,with new lessons to assimilate every day. Incidentally Arora has been involved in designing sets,costumes,acting,directing,make-up and theatre management. Music is the only aspect that he hasn’t explored so far. “I have worked with the best in the industry and one of my most memorable stints was with Manohar Singh when he was directing Pagal Ghoda here,” smiles Arora,who began working at the age of eight and gradually learnt his art on the job. The make-up wizard is particularly proud of his forte. “Many modern theatre people don’t consider make-up important. Others feel that it changes the look of an actor and creates a character. For me,it’s an art and I enjoy it from the core,” he says.

Having acted in 120 plays,many television serials and produced and directed more than 100 plays,Arora says there have been highs and lows,“but it’s all been worth it”. He is happy that Chandigarh now has a lot of theatre activity but “what we need is more serious work and new playwrights,” he says.