The Hindu : New Delhi News : Three Arts Club set for a comeback

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Three Arts Club set for a comeback

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Formed in 1943, the theatre group performed popular plays in pre-independence era

The group shuttled between country’s then summer capital Shimla and winter capital Delhi
After Independence it continued working from Delhi and shaped the theatre movement

NEW DELHI: After a hiatus that lasted 25 long years, Three Arts Club is set for a comeback. Founded in the pre-Independence era, the club introduced the city to the fascinating world of drama and the stage.

It was in 1943 when three theatre enthusiasts Om Sharma, R. M. Kaul and Devi Chand Kayasth came together that Three Arts Club comprising primarily government employees took shape.

Shuttling between the country’s then summer capital, Shimla and winter capital, Delhi, the group engaged audiences with plays that focussed on the lives of people. The family, the clerk, the servant, the hawker—characters that formed society—also found themselves as the subjects of plays.

Women on stage

After Independence, the club continued working from Delhi and shaped the theatre movement. Three Arts Club also performed shows at the then Prime Minister’s house in 1954. And among the audiences were luminaries including Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Zakir Hussain and Charan Singh. The club, which was known for experimenting with ideas, was also credited with having introduced women on stage. It gave a platform to women to perform under the arc lights.

With successful productions like “Faisla”, “Under Secretary” and “Paisa Bolta Hai”, or the satire “Dhong” forming a part its repertoire, the club is now being revived by Anuradha Dar on the occasion of the 25th death anniversary of her father R.M. Kaul, who was one of the founders.

Joining Ms. Dar in the revival of the club that proposes to extend its activities to educational institutes are Ramesh Mehta, Dr. Sadhana Bhatnagar and D. C. Pandey.

The comeback of Three Arts Club will be marked by a three-day drama festival at Sri Ram Centre on Safdar Hashmi Marg beginning May 11.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi