The Crusade Continues…

Thirty-eight years and ‘Shatranj Ke Mohre’ still draws a houseful! The satire is Indian People’s Theatre Association’s (IPTA) longest running play,one that the Chandigarh audience will get a chance to absorb as part of the ongoing Chandigarh Theatre Festival,along with ‘Biwi O Biwi’,which for the past five years has been tickling the funny bone and had the city in splits on Friday evening. “IPTA is going strong for we not only entertain or make people laugh,but give them something to think and ponder about,” Rakesh Bedi,writer and director of ‘Biwi O Biwi’,who also plays a major role in the play,talks about IPTA’s philosophy. As for his play,Bedi’s at ease playing both director and actor. “Being a director is an added responsibility and I feel you are more answerable to yourself,’’ Bedi introduces the other actors of the plays,all theatre,film and television veterans,Avtar Gill,Sulabha Arya,Anjan Srivastav,Ramesh Talwar,Rashmi Sharma,all of whom have a long association with IPTA.

Formed during the Quit India Movement in ‘42,IPTA strived to bring theatre to the people with the objective of building awareness about social responsibility and national integration. Writers,actors,singers,film-makers,musicians…IPTA brought a sea-change in the concepts about Indian theatre and was born a new expression,getting people close to art. “Whenever we want to speak to people about something,not only political evils,but also social,we stage a play,even if it’s on the street and the impact is far-reaching. As we go with the flow and time,we are still on centrestage,drawing both new and repeat audiences for our old and new productions,’’ smiles Sulabha Arya,who has been a part of the group for the past 45 years and is fondly referred to as Amma.

Discovering new layers every time they stage the plays,renowned film and television director Ramesh Talwar,who is directing ‘Shatranj Ke Mohre’,goes down memory lane as he recalls how the team of the play has changed over the years,since ‘69,when it was first played in Punjabi. “Kader Khan,AK Hangal,Sulbha,I,we all have been a part of the play and now many of us are doing different roles from what we began with,’’ Talwar says Hindi theatre has so much competition from cinema and television,but theatre is the foundation of it all. Nods Avtar Gill,who adds that theatre is the only way,and IPTA is a living example of how theatre continues to thrive,against all odds…”like in Mumbai,we need to encourage theatre-goers to buy a ticket and then watch a play,for only then can we take the movement places,’’ Gill says that theatre gives him a kick like nothing else.

Excited about the release of his film,What’s Your Raashee…Anjan Shrivastav effortlessly plays his parts on television,films and stage to perfection,“for character presentation is the same,it’s just that stage is completely an actor’s medium,while television a writer’s and film and director’s. Like theatre,television too needs to take up serious issues and drive home some points,’’ Anjan is looking forward to the Chandigarh experience.