Theatre actor and make-up artiste Parvesh Sethi smiles as he reads the script for a new stage production. The veteran of the Chandigarh theatre scene,Sethi has just received the 2012 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Acting. The award,says Sethi,has acted like a new lease of life for his passion towards theatre a commitment of nearly 63 years. Yes,its been a long journey and every moment has been memorable, says the 70-year-old Chandigarh-based actor. Looking back at his time spent in the theatre circuit,Sethi says his tryst with the stage began in the early 60s as a make-up artiste,when not many people were aware about the technique and importance of make-up for theatre. We would invest our money to buy make-up and convince actors to try it,for it was a new art. Now of course,its an indispensable part of theatre,and we have come a long way since then,with me experimenting with television and cinema too, says Sethi,who has also directed a few plays. From the loud Parsi style theatre of acting to the now more natural style,Sethis baritone voice got him powerful roles. After performing more than 500 plays in India and abroad,he admits its tough to pick out his favourites. As Colonel Surat Singh in Court Martial,a play that went on to have 400 shows,he became quite popular. His other popular roles include playing Kans in Katha Ek Kans Ki and Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in Zafarnama. Sethi says he likes playing historical characters,as they are more intricate and have negative shades in them. As for the audience response,Sethi notesthat the theatre audience is now more discerning and encouraging. Nowadays,Sethi is preparing for a role in theatre director Umesh Kants Sandhya Chhaya. The play narrates the story of an old couple living alone,as their children are settled abroad. I can connect to such a situation and feelings and am now looking forward to a new chapter in theatre, says Sethi.
