Steady Force

Pune-based director

The story so far: After his initial three years in theatre,he started focussing more on experimental work. “I’m trying to work on different forms and levels within theatre. Now,with my theatre group,Aasakta,boasting of 24 actors,we are able to do three to five productions a year,often taking them to metro cities as well as smaller towns of India.”

Support system: Main support comes from within the group. “Most theatre groups have a bunch of floating actors,but my actors have been quite loyal,willing to devote up to seven hours a day.” Playwright

Mahesh Elkunchwar has also been a friend and guide.

Driving force: When he went to the UK for his masters,he was impressed with the theatre scene in London. “I realised that a lot of elements of theatre are still unexplored in India. It is this magic that has kept me hooked onto the form” he says.

Other Temptations: He might do films. “I have written a few scripts. But right now,I’m enjoying myself in theatre.”

Looking Ahead: As of now,Takalkar sees only Aasakta as his future. “We are looking at working with different languages in our plays,and are specifically looking at theatre in Karnataka and Gujarat.”

Kartikeya Ramanathan

Dhruv Mookerji,29

Kolkata-based actor-writer-director

The story so far: The British Council Inter-School Drama Competitions offered him his major brush with theatre when he won the Best Actor Award in 1998. Later,he found Theatrecian with Tathagata Chowdhury while still in St Stephen’s College,Delhi. After returning to Kolkata,he got fully engrossed in Theatrecian and also worked with the other English theatre groups. He has directed as well as acted in various productions.

Support system: I also work in TV/films/ads/stand-up comedy.

Theatre has begun to pay much better now than it used to. Still,all senior members of Theatrecian have to shuffle our regular routines to balance theatre with other projects. It helps immensely that my parents are not only supportive but proactive in their encouragement of my theatre work.

Driving force: Single biggest driving force is audience reaction. The joy of working with other lovely actors and friends and the rehearsal process too drives me strongly.

Other Temptations: TV and cinema — though my outlook towards them is more of work than sheer passion.

Looking Ahead: We’re looking at building a repertoire of comedy content that can be presented both as corporate as well as public shows. It will cover all types of comedy and cater to any palate.

Piyasree Dasgupta

Ram Ganesh Kamatham,29

Bangalore-based writer-director

The story so far: It’s been a wonderful journey with amazing discoveries. It feels great to make plays that not only entertain,but also push the envelope in some way — be it in content,style or presentation. I’ve also been lucky in that I’ve managed a consistent output of plays over time — so I can look back over a body of work that spans nearly a decade.

Support system: I’ve learnt a lot from the people I worked with and they keep me motivated. I’ve always been blessed with a wonderful team of people to collaborate with,so it’s always a pleasure to work — sometimes in the most trying of circumstances.

Driving force: It’s passion that drives me. Hardcore,unrelenting passion.

Other Temptations: Well the comfort and security of a corporate job always hangs over my head. Many of my friends with steady jobs are vicariously living the artist’s dream-life through me,so I feel it is my responsibility to keep doing what I do.

Looking Ahead: There’s a Marathi translation of my play Creeper titled Mangutivar Mayasabha by Irawati Karnik running currently. Then there’s Project S.T.R.I.P. directed by Q and a Los Angeles production of Dancing on Glass by Vidhu Singh. I’m also researching on classical martial arts for a new production.

Alaka Sahani