I have been a part of this festival before but it was different this time as I was holding responsibilities. The most defining experience was organizing the festival with such a huge team. The other thing that changed me the most was coordinating with the guest teams coming from different states with varied backgrounds. Some teams were relatively young, including actors and the director, and contrasting that, we had the pleasure to host a celebrated actor-director-singer Raghubir Yadav.
The five-day festival had plays touching upon varied issues and utilized various forms of presentation.
Nugra Ka Tamasa by Kalamandali, Delhi had a narrative with different folk tales merged together in a single tale with beautiful music. The story moves around a shyster snake adamant to bite a man who saved his life. Kasaibada by Sutradhar, Azamgarh was a power packed performance, centred on the plight of women in our society, irrespective of the economic strata they belong to. B3 by IPTA Raigarh had amazing story-line. It revolved around a history professor who experiments on his students to explain them about the hazards of fascism, but the outcome leaves him broken. Piano by Ryra Repertoire, Mumbai was a delighful experience, with a comic touch, highlighting the subject of desolation in the lives of people living in overcrowded metropolitan spaces. Muawzey by Agraj Natya Dal, Bilaspur raised ruthless questions on the politics and social system. It left behind thoughts on integrity of politicians and those oppressed by them.
The more interesting parts about the festival were the daily post-performance sessions. The discussions with the guest team on their performance brought different perspectives on the preparation process and the thoughts behind the selection and presentation of the plays. Some of the discussions were backed with awe inspiring musical performances by Mr Raghubir Yadav and Mr Sanjay Upadhyay.
Also, during the festival, the 7th Sharadchandra Vairagkar Memorial Award for excellence in Theatre was conferred upon to Mr. Raghubir Yadav for his eminent contribution to Theatre. The most delightful fact was the participation and enthusiasm of the people of the city. Almost every guest team were pleasantly surprised with the reception by the audiences, some called them poetic delight for an artist.
I am now looking forward to the festival next year.
