In a different cast

Situated in the suburb of Talegaon-Dabhade, away from the bustle of the city, Kalapini - a theatre institute is bristling with activity. ...

Situated in the suburb of Talegaon-Dabhade, away from the bustle of the city, Kalapini 8211; a theatre institute is bristling with activity. Today it is known not only for the plays it puts up, but also for the its distinct objective 8211; that of promoting artistes from the rural areas. Started on April 10, 1977, Kalapini is the creative culmination of a certain sense of restlessness felt by a group of friends involved in theatre and performing arts. They witnessed the mushrooming of theatre organisations in the metropolis and the evident lack of exposure that artistes from a rural background faced. And they took off.

What makes Kalapini special is that it works only for the local people and in and around the Mawal taluka. This has helped them trace and tap local talent, which would have otherwise been eclipsed in the dazzle of the big names of the theatre circuit.

Over the years, so overwhelming has been the response to this endeavour, that its membership has grown phenomenally with 1,200 dedicated members. One-act plays, musicals, issue-based street plays, the group addresses a range in form and content.

Theatre works almost as therapy for these members. Says founder member Dr. Paranjape, 8220;Performing before an audience has helped in the over-all development of children giving them a sense of confidence.8221; Trophies and prizes, won by individuals and groups within the Kalapini framework at state and national competitions, speaks volumes of the quality of the performers.

Not just have Kalapini students performed in different places like Vadodara, Bangalore, Jabalpur, Chennai, they have also been to London, and presented five plays in three languages Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati to a standing ovation.

It has not been an easy journey. 8220;We first needed to educate the rural folk about the medium, and dispel doubts from their mind before persuading them to send their children here. This was a Herculean task,8221; says Paranjape. 8220;We urge the children to participate in various drama competitions and also train them in art and craft, theatre jargon. Consequently, good teams of artistes are created who in turn can take up their own productions.

Activities also include discussions with eminent theatre and cine personalities and arranging for staging of well-known plays. This helps to widen their frame of reference,8221; he continues.

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The devotion of the Kalapini team has succeeded in infusing confidence into a section of talented people, who otherwise could do little but gape in awe at the urban scenario. In fact, the theatre groups in the big cities can take a page out of Kalapini8217;s book of discipline and perseverance which has given the art of performing a new meaning.