The thriving art of our country that needs appreciation and recognition
Originating from the ancient art of enacting the mythological stories for an audience, performing art has been a part of mankind’s life from before. Over time graduating into enacting much more profound stories, the theater is a sanctum.
Nandikar Established in 1960 in Bengal by Ajitesh Bandopadhyay and Asit Bandopadhya, it was at the forefront of the National Theatre Movement. It initially produced adaptations of non-Indian plays like Natyakarer Sandhane Chhati Charitra (Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author) and till this date has produced around 80 plays.
The Kohinoor Theatre Founded by Ratan Lahkar in 1976, this mobile theatre group from Assamshows plays on Indian and Assamese culture, and Shakespeare. It happens to be the only Assamese mobile theatre group to have performed at the National School of Drama. While it’s famous for the recreation of James Cameroon’s Titanic, its other plays are Erabator Sur and Mukti.
Prithvi Theatre It was built by Shashi Kapoor and wife Jennifer Kapoor in memory of Prithviraj Kapoor - who had a traveling theatre company of the same name Prithvi Theatres- in 1978. It produces plays but importantly gives other companies a space to perform their plays.
Motley Theater Founded by thespian Naseeruddin Shah and Benjamin Gilani in 1979, Motley Theater’s charm lies in its diverse range of plays like Waiting ForGodot and Arms and the Man.
Ekjute Theater Group Established by couple Nadira and Raj Babbar in 1981, it shows the works of famous playwrights. Apart from acting workshops, the company also focuses on speech, character building, costume designing, etc. Two of their famous plays are Ye Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan and Begum Jaan.
ACE Production Founded by Raell Padamsee in 1987, the Academy of Creative Excellence (ACE) is well known for its production and mega-events that can be justified with their well-known plays like Macbeth and The Sound of Music.
Kalayan One of Bangalore's oldest Hindi theatre groups, it was established in 1988 and still run by Mathura Kalauny, it continues to stage one Hindi play annually. The company has a following of 3000 plus audience.
Pierrot’s Troupe An internationally renowned theatre group from Delhi, it was formed in 1989 by playwright and director M. Sayeed Alam who has written and directed all their plays and acted in some. The troupe performs original plays in Hindi, Urdu and English. Some of their plays include Ghalib in New Delhi and Sons of Babur.
Koothu-P-Pattarai A physical theatre group from Chennai has produced plays for 31 years. Its director Na Muthuswamy, is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academi Award. Their style has come to know as a reflection of the alternative Tamil theatre movement.
Such a significant and ancient art form that continues to thrives, theatre creates a reflection of our daily lives with a twist and are so worth our time.
