Chalo Theatre begins next week

Chalo Theatre begins next week

MUNISH DHIMAN  19th Apr 2014

Anurupa Roy as Kala Manch, one of the most active theatre groups from Haryana is all set to organise "Chalo Theatre", its maiden three-day festival in Chandigarh, from 25-27 April. Elaborating on the festival, Ravi Mohan, President, Ras Kala Manch tells Guradian20, "We conceptualised this festival with a view to generate enthusiasts to continue theatre activities in the region. Today, it is one of the biggest theatre festivals in the state. We knew the journey was going to be difficult but we also knew that quality work always pays off at the end of the day. We've always focused on how to promote theatre in the state, but this year we wanted to take this festival to another level. That's why we designed this three-day festival that will feature some fantastic award-winning plays." Echoing these sentiments, Manish Joshi, secretary of the Ras Kala Manch says, "Theatre personalities, including Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, Tom Alter, Rakesh Bedi, Seema Biswas and Sudhir Pandey have performed at the festival over different seasons. This year we have three plays on the trot — About Ram, Doosra Aadmi Doosri Aurat and Urgent Meeting, all of which, we are confident, will enthral the audience." The festival will be kick-started with About Ram, directed by Anurupa Roy, an internationally renowned puppeteer. This will be followed by Doosra Aadmi Doosri Aurat on the second day. The play has been directed by Ravi Mohan and is based on extra-marital affairs. The festival will conclude with Urgent Meeting, a satire directed by J.P. Singh, which seeks to lampoon the bureaucracy that exists in India. The play revolves around how the system has polluted the work environment and how no arena has remained untouched from internal politics. "We don't promote anything and everything. We believe a play should have some substance and message so that it makes people think about it even after they've left the auditorium." says Joshi. All the plays will be staged at Tagore Theatre, Sector-18, Chandigarh at 7 p.m. daily. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/chalo-theatre-begins-next-week