Plethora of classics

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Presenting a crossover between literature, classicism and its modern interpretations, the National School of Drama’s (NSD) annual theatre festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) kicked off in the capital recently.

The inaugural show, Atmakatha, directed by Vinay Sharma from the Kolkata-based group, Padatik marked veteran actor, Kulbhushan Kharbanda’s return on stage after a long hiatus.
Focussing on social issues and the internal conflicts of human beings is director Sangeeta Sharma’s piece, Deha Praneya. “There is no story or plot in our dance act, yet it is a performance that will enthrall the audience. The dance movements, music, costume and props used in the act are inspired by poems of John Keats and the temple architecture of Khajuraho,” says Sangeeta.
The festival will also bring a repertoire of William Shakespear’s seven plays that range from Lear as a solo performance from Turkmenistan to Piya Behroopiya, a Hindi adaptation of Twelfth Night to Julius Caesar in an Assamese adaptation.
“We have retained the characters of the original play, Julius Caesar but the background of the play has shifted from the Roman Empire to the streets of Assam,” says Bhagirathi, director, Assamese adaptation of the Julius Caesar.
The 15th edition of the festival will also pay tribute to writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Regional variants of Popular Theatre or commonly known as, Parsi Theatre still attract massive audiences in towns and villages.
Revisting one such popular musical theatrical, Sangeet Maanapman, director Nipun Dharmadhikari says, “This play was first performed in 1912, in which the legendary stage actor Balgandharva had played Bhamini. Music is another highlight of the play, where most of the songs have become milestones. We have revived the play by using 3D animations and open-ended music tracks for a few songs to re-create the magic on stage. To make the act more impactful, we have also reduced it to a two-act play.”
The festival will be spread across eight venues in the capital and will be on till January 20.