Libre Magazine

“Theatre for all…” a unique concept; 5 years back any one hearing “theatre for all…” would have fallen down in dismay. Can theatre reach out to normal people? Can an ordinary man stand in front of 500 people and deliver a Monologue and make an impact on the society? Is theatre really come off age?

I guess the answer is “YES”, theatre now has become “theatre for all” theatre now has become a strong force which drives any human to think, act and imagine. In technically terms, one can say theatre has now become “OPEN SOURCE”

As per the history theatre has evolved from ages and has been a strong force in every war and revolution. Indian theatre’s biggest evolution was its journey from Entertainment to a platform or a force. Bal Gangadhar Thilak started the trend of moving people against the British early in 1900’s through theatre. Thilak’s visions of broadcasting his views in the form of dramas were the early signs of “theatre for all” in India. As time emerged itself, technological revolution took its turn to bury theatre completely; the advent of television to Indian houses was devastating to theatre eventually leading people to forget stage, lights and the struggle behind the stage. It was all “Lights, Camera and Action!!!”

As they say, every thing has a turn and so is, for theatre; Theatre regained its charm and lost glory but what could be the reason for this fulminant downfall and raise of theatre?

The answer is very simple, Availability and opportunities. Unfortunately the post freedom period of Indian history did not offer much opportunity for people who craved to act, majority of theatre was dominated by huge names and for common man it was like a diamond. Theatre suddenly became untouchable.

Late 2000’s showed a drastic change with theatre groups emerging with equal support from the public, the result was very simple “theatre for all…” Theatre was made public, any one interested was allowed to act, passion counted more than experience, desire weighed more than money and for those who were not involved creatively theatre again became a medium of entertainment.

The main reason for this transformation goes to some of the theatre houses who have opened the doors for all and made theatre available for any normal, common man. Anyone who desired to see themselves on stage or sing on stage or even watch a play; for them it is just a catwalk. With one click people can get to know what is happening in theatre, with one phone call people can now join a theatre group and with one thing called “passion” people can relive their dreams. As we evolve from the ages of pigeons to E-mails, theatre soon will become yet again a driving force, a reason, a platform, a desire and lastly a hope to achieve something new, to tell something new and finally to showcase something new.