The stage is set for a great theatrical event in the capital. The National School of Drama (NSD) is organising its annual festival "Theatre Utsav, 2006," which will be held from January 2-14.
The school’s eighth annual festival, would bring to centrestage 62 productions from 11 countries, which will be staged at five venues: Kamani Auditorium, Sri Ram Centre, and three halls at the NSD namely Abhimanch, Bahumukh, and Sammukh.
The festival has been broadly divided in five sections: The Indian presence, Emerging Talent, Theatre Training and Asian and Arab windows.
The first section brings together the best Indian productions of last year and the next two categories incorporate fresh theatrepersons who are making their presence felt across the country and works from other theatre institutes. The Asian and Arab windows give a glimpse of the evolution of theatre in these parts of the globe.
Devendra Raj Ankur, director, NSD, says, "In the festivals held earlier, the focus invariably was on regional theatre in India. This year, however, we have laid enough emphasis on the participation of troupes from South Asian countries. Besides, there will be a three-day seminar (January 6th to 8th) on issues relating to theatre in which eminent scholars from the region will participate." The symposium will be chaired by veteran American theatreperson Richard Schechner, who is credited with having started "environmental theatre" in the US.
Some of the issues to be discussed, says Ankur, are traditions and morality in theatre.The other highlight of the theatrical extravaganza would be the simultaneous staging of some selected plays in Bangalore on January 4-7. "This is being introduced for the first time. But we aim to continue this in the subsequent festivals. Next year, we’ll stage some plays in Kolkata," informs Mr Ankur.
Amal Allana, chairperson, NSD, says, "The focus of this festival will be on the section called Window on Asia, which features plays from countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Nepal and Sri Lanka." Theatre, says Allana, is an important part of culture. "It should be made part and parcel of young people’s lives. Incorporating theatre into the syllabi of schools and universities is long overdue. The festival is a celebration of performing arts as an important part of our lives," she says.
She further adds, "We want the NSD to be connected with good works from other institutions. We don’t want it to be isolated in training field."
The school’s eighth annual festival, would bring to centrestage 62 productions from 11 countries, which will be staged at five venues: Kamani Auditorium, Sri Ram Centre, and three halls at the NSD namely Abhimanch, Bahumukh, and Sammukh.
The festival has been broadly divided in five sections: The Indian presence, Emerging Talent, Theatre Training and Asian and Arab windows.
The first section brings together the best Indian productions of last year and the next two categories incorporate fresh theatrepersons who are making their presence felt across the country and works from other theatre institutes. The Asian and Arab windows give a glimpse of the evolution of theatre in these parts of the globe.
Devendra Raj Ankur, director, NSD, says, "In the festivals held earlier, the focus invariably was on regional theatre in India. This year, however, we have laid enough emphasis on the participation of troupes from South Asian countries. Besides, there will be a three-day seminar (January 6th to 8th) on issues relating to theatre in which eminent scholars from the region will participate." The symposium will be chaired by veteran American theatreperson Richard Schechner, who is credited with having started "environmental theatre" in the US.
Some of the issues to be discussed, says Ankur, are traditions and morality in theatre.The other highlight of the theatrical extravaganza would be the simultaneous staging of some selected plays in Bangalore on January 4-7. "This is being introduced for the first time. But we aim to continue this in the subsequent festivals. Next year, we’ll stage some plays in Kolkata," informs Mr Ankur.
Amal Allana, chairperson, NSD, says, "The focus of this festival will be on the section called Window on Asia, which features plays from countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Nepal and Sri Lanka." Theatre, says Allana, is an important part of culture. "It should be made part and parcel of young people’s lives. Incorporating theatre into the syllabi of schools and universities is long overdue. The festival is a celebration of performing arts as an important part of our lives," she says.
She further adds, "We want the NSD to be connected with good works from other institutions. We don’t want it to be isolated in training field."