Pritham Kumar speaks about the importance of lighting design

Pritham Kumar will conduct an in-depth workshop on the art and craft of lighting design

Usually in theatre, only actors receive acclaim. But lights and sets, the backbone of theatre productions, often go unappreciated. Bengaluru-based Pritham Kumar has distinguished himself as a lighting designer. He has created a workshop to train theatre and dance practitioners as well as those interested in lighting design.

In a first for the city, Pritham has created a four-part workshop. “In most lighting workshops, they'll talk about designs and then go straight to lighting. Most people who teach lighting make it complicated than it actually is. Critical thinking towards lighting design is important to make it accessible to all,” says Pritham.

Speaking about all four parts of the workshop, Pritham says: “Part one is on lighting design. The participants will watch productions and then create lighting designs and execute them. Part two will be execution of design. It will be a practice-based session where participants will be creating their designs in real time.

Part three is a session on documentation,where participants will work on documenting their design in a manner that can be shared almost anywhere in the world. And in part four, there will be a lab where a basic set-up will be available to test and use new ways of lighting control as well as a basic introduction to making their own miniature LED lights.”

Pritham is a self-taught lighting designer, “like how I am a self-taught chef,” he adds. His first lighting gig was in 2002. “I was the replacement for a lighting designer for a choir,” he laughs and says. Since then he has gone on to work in several productions, including for Bangalore Little Theatre and THESPO, Mumbai.

“Last year from September to December I had done 14 gigs! That's when I thought more people should be trained in lighting design.”

If there is one quality that makes Pritham stand out in the field, it is his commitment.

“I had dengue once and did a show despite that. In Chennai half an hour before I did a show for Evam I was informed of a family emergency but I stayed back and completed my work for the production.”

Pritham’s intention is to share whatever knowledge he has on the craft to benefit the performance arts.

“I am not holding anything back, I want to share everything I know and give back to the community.”

The workshop will be held at Shoonya-Centre for Art and Somatic Practices, Lalbagh Road.

Part 1 batch 2 will be held on February 21 and 22 (10 am to 6 pm), fee ₹3,000, open for all, no drop ins allowed. Tickets at imojo.in .

Part 2 will be held on February 27 and 28, Part 3 on March 4 and Part 4 on March 11.

For details call 7760832226.