| “Even rehri-wallahs & rickshaw pullers come to watch plays” |
17th May 2014
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handigarh-based Padma Shri awardee Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry needs no preface. Her name is synonymous with Chandigarh's theatre movement. Her popular play The Licence was staged recently at the Rock Garden, and was well received by an appreciative city audience. In a candid conversation withGuardian20, Neelam Mansingh speaks about her play and the resurgence of theatre in the city.
Q. Your play is based on stories by two eminent authors Saadat Hassan Manto and Bertoldt Brecht. How difficult was it to merge the two, and why did you choose these particular authors?
A. As an ardent reader, I read a lot about these authors and their works. These two particular stories have a striking resemblance. Both the stories talk about the implications of the economic tumble down due to fast industrialisation in the country. Both talk about the status of the woman in society and also about the hurdles she leapfrogs to survive. There was no difficulty at all in directing this play as improvisation is a tool that gives you a lot of space to work, imagine and enact.
Q. You have witnessed theatre growing in this part of the region. What are the visible changes that you feel are a boon for theatre and can take it to another level of success?
A. There are several such changes that can be cited. But the most important for the existence of theatre is the audience which has definitely changed over the years. I may say that the audience here is really amazing. Intellectuals, students, kids, oldies, even the rehri walas and rickshaw pullers, people from all sections of society come and see the plays. Be it a three-day, five-day or a 10-day event, all the evenings are engaging and the enthusiasm amongst the audience is tremendous. And watching people coming on wheelchairs and even holding sticks in their hands definitely proves that the scenario has changed and theatre is being accepted.
Q. You chose Rock Garden for staging the play. Do the place and the surroundings impact the performance or is there any other reason?
A. Yes, the place and surroundings do matter in a sense. I always choose Rock Garden for my plays because I have an abiding emotional bond with the place. There are two reasons why I prefer Rock Garden for my plays: one, my attachment with the Rock Garden and the city and second, my affinity with its creator Nek Chand. And here too, I would like to mention that the audience is so cooperative. I don't provide them any comforts, but they still enjoy the play in the hot, humid weather amidst mosquitoes.
Q. I have come across many theatre artists who say that "theatre can feed your soul but not your tummy". How do you react to the statement?
A. Yes, I do support the statement and, yes, there is no second thought about it. In the dearth of sponsorships and funding there are no earnings, especially in regional theatre. When it comes to survival, no one can bank solely upon theatre.
Q. Do you think this generation is following your footsteps and will be able to carry forward the legacy of theatre in the city?
A. It depends on the passion, enthusiasm, love and creativity for producing a piece of art. And yes, there are students in the theatre department who are very bright and pushing. They devote themselves and do a lot of hard work for their love rather than wasting their quality time driving aimlessly, hanging around or indulging in nefarious activities.
Q. Where else do you plan to stage the show?
A. We are planning to stage the show in Bareilly, Jaipur and even Pakistan, time permitting.
http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/even-rehri-wallahs-a-rickshaw-pullers-come-to-watch-plays
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