Reliving Tagore

A joint effort of the Tagore Theatre Society and the Chandigarh Administration,most of the productions slated for the festival have been adapted from Tagore’s short stories. “The idea was to enable the Chandigarh audience to see and appreciate local theatre artists,who rarely get such an opportunity. While plays from outside get a great response,local talent is relgated to the background,’’ says Kuldeep Sharma,Director,Tagore Theatre.

Apart from Chitrangda,a dance drama from Shantiniketan which will open the show on August 2,all other productions will be local,four of them in Punjabi. There are also two plays specially produced with children in mind — Kabuliwala by Zubin Mehta and Tota Kahani by Zulfikar Khan. “Our productions will be a treat for children since we are putting up spectacular sets,” says Khan.

With more than 20 active theatre groups in Chandigarh,Sharma hopes to invite the remaining ones for the upcoming Premchand Festival and the Comedy Theatre Festival. Sahib Singh,who is directing Baat Suhe Phulan Di in Punjabi,based on Tagore’s story Once There Was a King and Victory,says,“This is our chance to interact with the Chandigarh audience and show them our passion for theatre.’’ Besides the plays,there will also be an exhibition of the prints of Tagore’s paintings.

The 10-day festival starts on August 2 at Tagore Theatre,6.30pm onwards. Contact Tagore Theatre for passes.