The Hindu : New Delhi News : Theatre to celebrate its own fraternity

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Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
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New Delhi

Theatre to celebrate its own fraternity

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: Regarded as one of the foremost theatre festivals in the city with a distinct identity of its own, the Old World Theatre Festival-2008 opens at India Habitat Centre here this Friday.

In its seventh year now, the festival this time is aimed at saluting the indomitable spirit and camaraderie of the theatre fraternity. Undaunted by lack of sponsorship, artistes and directors who have a never-say-die attitude have decided to come together and keep alive their credo: “The show must go on”.

Bringing a handpicked collection of critically acclaimed Indian and international productions, the festival will showcase plays by acclaimed directors and eminent theatre personalities such as Habib Tanvir, Jaimini Pathak, Rahul Da Cunha and Hanif Patni.

Like every year, this time round too the festival will have a unique facet, “The Best of Collegiate Theatre”, besides performances by renowned names from the world of theatre.

The first two days will see the staging of an English play titled “All About Women” directed by Hidaayat Sami. The story ranges from poignant to hilarious, while the characters range from insightful to absurd, but always real. Through these diverse characters and their experiences regarding love, friendship and careers, the play pretty much tells us a gripping tale.

Actively involved in theatre for the past 17 years, Sami has been a part of almost 90 stage productions. His expertise includes acting, production, light design and direction. He has worked on a regular basis with theatre stalwarts like Pandit Satyadev Dubey, Naseeruddin Shah, Sunil Shanbag and Astaad Deboo.

On Sunday, Habib Tanvir’s brilliant directorial skills will be visible and apparent to the uninitiated as his play in Hindi, “Raj Rakht”, is staged at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tanvir’s play highlights the tussle between religious and secular authorities.

When King Govinda Manikya bans all sacrifice in response to a young child traumatised by the blood of a sacrificial goat, the priest Raghupati does everything he can to break his decree. “Raj Rakht” is the story of a kingdom and its individuals playing out the conflict between religion and state.

A noted Hindi playwright, theatre director, poet and actor, Tanvir is the writer of famous plays like “Agra Bazar” (1954) and “Charandas Chor” (1975). In 1959, he founded Naya Theatre which moved to Bhopal in the 1990s. The core actors of Naya Theatre come from amongst the highly talented performers and singers of rural Chhattisgarh.

Jaimini Pathak’s English play titled “60 Seconds Deep” will be shown on December 8 and 9. Hindi play “Sach…Juta…Namak” directed by Hanif Patni will be staged on December 10 and 11.

Rahul Da Cunha’s “Chaos Theory” in English will be staged on December 13 and 14.

The ten-day festival will end on December 14.

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