Literature Review-Theatre Festivals

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    a) Blast from the Past: Four years at the Fest: Metro Plus Theatre Festival29 /07/ 2010

    Theatre actor and director Freddy Koikaran of Stagefright Productions on his long

    association with the fest, experimenting with different styles over four years and saying I

    told you so to Mukund.

    Its hard to believe that five years have passed since the inaugural edition of the Metro Plus

    Theatre Festival. And in that period, Stage fright Productions has had the privilege of being

    associated with the festival four times between 2005 and 2009, and each time has been a

    learning experience and an event to remember.

    I can still remember Mukund calling me to meet him at his office in early 2005: he had an

    idea he wanted to bounce off of me. I was thrilled at the idea of a theatre festival and told him

    that it would definitely be a success. With the name and branding that the Hindu commands, I

    saw it as an opportunity to coerce Chennai audiences into attending shows on days other than

    Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. But Mukund was unsure about trying too many things at

    once, and I suppose the businessman in him decided that it was wiser to be prudent and see

    how the whole idea was received.

    Fortunately, I can now say to him with as much irreverence as I can, I TOLD you so!

    because the festival has today gained importance of immense proportions in the Chennai

    calendar. Unlike some others from the Chennai theatre fraternity, I had never made theassumption that the festival was intended to promote Chennai theatre, and so while I was

    initially surprised that Chennai groups were not given as much prominence as some

    outstation teams (such as being relegated to smaller venues, etc.) I wasnt terribly

    disappointed.A set of short plays, a drama, a full-length musical the MetroPlus Theatre

    Festival has given Stagefright Productions many opportunities to try different styles and to

    experiment, but of course always keeping the audiences interests in mind.

    The concept of Citizens Reviews is a good idea, as it allows us to hear from the audience

    directly, but I believe that the only flaw with it is that some people clearly have no idea how

    to write objectively, and in my opinion, those reviews should not be printed. After all,

    everyone may have an opinion about whether a play was good or not, but how many people

    can give justifiable explanations for their choice? (Please note, I am not referring to bad

    reviews; I am referring to badly written reviews.)

    The constant and common challenge that everyone in the theatre fraternity faces is that

    of prohibitive production costs. And despite the high production costs, we cannot inflate

    our ticket prices accordingly, or else we run the risk of alienating the already miniscule

    theatre audience in Chennai. Interestingly enough, many outstation teams who perform

    in Chennai are often seen as lacking in quality as well as professionalism, and yet peoplerush to see them perform, as there is always an assumption that groups from outside

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    Chennai are better. Fortunately most of those outstation teams who have participated in

    the MPTF have always been of superlative quality, and it is my sincere hope that the

    MPTF continues to increase the size and quality of the Chennai audience so that those

    of us who stage shows here can reach out to a wider and more discerning audience.

    b)There is something Magical about theatre: Kher

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/pune/28365569_1_anupam-kher-nilu-

    phule-theatre-lovers/2

    "It is a flexible age for theatre and there are no hard-and-fast rules about one style winning

    over the other. People prefer subjects and styles that hold their attention because at the end of

    a good play, one only reflects on what one could relate to." He says he has done more than

    200 shows, which testifies to the fact that his work has been able to keep his audience

    enraptured, just the way he wanted it to.

    Kher says he loves doing theatre more than films. "Every day is a different show and there

    are no re-takes... that is the joy of it. A play keeps me breathing and alive. There is a rush of

    blood to my head ever time I go on stage for a performance. I get to act before a new

    audience that has an uncanny presence of mind, which is another thing that draws me to

    drama. A live audience, hanging on to every word and mood of a character, is what keeps me

    alive as an actor.

    c) Theatre festivals-A great way to Revive Indian Theatrehttp://www.hindustantimes.com/Reviving-Indian-theatre/Article1-236432.aspx

    IM Sahai, Hindustan Times

    Mumbai, July 13, 2007

    At the Summer Drama Festival organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi

    the other day, Vijay Tendulkar's Ghasiram Kotwal was revived.Both the shows went house

    full, with standees inside and many more outside clamouring to get in. Evidently, GenNext

    is in the proces

    In Delhi, NSD's two seasonal festivals draw good crowds each year. In Mumbai, the

    English Theatre at least is still healthy. Kolkata prefers folk theatre, specially Jatra which

    now has an extended season.

    If the doctor-director Jabbar Patel were asked to diagnose the illness, he'd probably term it

    as a multi-organ failure'. Another theatre-person Mohan Maharishi asked recently, "Where

    are the new playwrights?"

    As for training, a solitary NSD in this vast country is a cruel joke on the large potential of

    theatrical talent in its various parts. We need a NSD in each State.

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    Optimism shines

    As we progress further in the new millennium, I am optimistic. During the last century,

    theatre had successfully countered a series of obstacles: colonial rule and its ham-handed

    censorship, the resurgence of cinema, the coming of TV and cable-channels, and lately the

    shenanigans of the moral' police. Yet theatre could emerge stronger for all that.

    Despite its past baggage, theatre will flourish. As in the past, a good nursery for talent have

    been the better schools and colleges. Hopefully, their chiefs will look beyond the cut-off

    marks' and merit-lists and build on the dramatic tradition that already exists - or needs to be

    nurtured.

    Theatre groups need to take a long hard look at the way they go about their difficult task.

    Just as in cinema, a few big, well-mounted plays could set the tone for the decades to come.

    I keep wondering why, with our rich musical tradition, particularly in folk, we do not haveat least a good musical' or two mounting the boards. More so, when sponsorship now is not

    as difficult to get as was in the past.

    Keeping out bureaucrats: Hopefully, the theatre of tomorrow will not depend unduly on

    the government, whether in the centre or states.

    An average CM of the day has no time for culture (except when it gives him photo-ops),

    and his babus toe that line. At the central level, the department of culture is a mere

    addendum to a small ministry and routinely palmed off on a junior (or politically

    inconvenient) minister.

    It is far more fruitful to rely on one's own efforts, supplemented by corporate support. That

    would require imagination and leg work.

    But that's something that the drama-wallahs are used to doing, isn't it? In 2020, theatre can

    only get better & more adventurous.

    d) Theatre fest to celebrate vibrant India

    H M Aravind, TNN, Apr 6, 2011, 10.55pm IST

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-06/mysore/29388178_1_theatre-buffs-

    theatre-fest-theatre-movement

    MYSORE: India's only state-sponsored theatre repertory is celebrating India's vibrant

    multicultural ethos at the five-day festival Bahuroopi which opened on Wednesday.

    As noted theatre personality Amol Palekar entered Kalamandir Cultural Complex, he set the

    mood for festivity and celebration. An elated actor present at the event said, "Vibrancy is

    only possible in theatre. This is what it is. Those who derive pleasure from this will know the

    hollowness of films and larger-than-life events."

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    e) Industry Status must for Indian theatre: Amal Allanahttp://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/industry-status-must-for-indian-theatre-

    amal-allana-interview_100114320.html

    03 November 2008 11:32:15 by IANS

    Bangalore, Nov 3 (IANS) Indian theatre has its roots in the Vedic times, but today it is

    fighting for survival and needs industry status to make it commercially viable, says acclaimed

    stage director Amal Allana.Theatre as an art form in India has its roots during the Vedic

    period. But in spite of such a long period of existence, theatre persons are still fighting to

    make theatre commercially viable, Allana, chairperson of the Delhi-based National School

    of Drama(NSD), told IANS in an interview here.

    Theatre cannot survive in isolation. The status of an industry will help theatre persons workin a coordinated manner for the growth and development of theatre, Allana, 61, said on the

    sidelines of a 10-day theatre festival at Ranga Shankara, a theatre facility in Bangalore.

    The festival celebrating the Nataka Mandali or company theatre tradition began Friday with

    Nati Binodini, a play directed by Allana on the struggle of the mid-19th century actress

    Binodini in Kolkata.

    The 100-minute play in Hindi was staged by Theatre and Television Associates. The story

    brings into focus how Indian women in every stage of their lives have to fight a tough battle

    to fulfil their ambition.

    The play set in the mid-19th century is still relevant. The position of Indian women has not

    changed much since that time, stated Allana, who is the daughter of theatre legend Ebrahim

    Alkazi and has till date directed 50 acclaimed plays.

    On the television and film industry being a major threat to theatre, Allana said all hurdles

    would be sorted out once theatre got the industry tag.

    Theatre has to be made commercially viable for its survival. Although thousands of theatre

    troupes are working hard and staging plays in India, they are suffering from financial

    penury, she rued.

    Be it Manipur, West Bengal or Karnataka, India has some of the most talented theatre

    troupes producing world class plays. But there is no financial backing for them. The

    government has to pitch in to bail out theatre from its financial bankruptcy, she added.

    Lauding the support extended by several corporate houses, Allana said since its inception

    theatre had survived because of royal patronage. Corporate houses coming out and helping

    theatre troupes in recent times is a welcome sign. Hope more such support comes our way,she said.

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    For instance, the Ranga Shankara theatre festival is being supported by cellular phone

    company Vodafone.

    Contemporary theatre is working under terrible conditions. We need to find a solution

    soon, Allana said.

    On her stewardship of the NSD, she said We at the NSD have various plans to bring some

    elementary changes in the way theatre across the country operates. Hope we achieve all our

    goals, said Allana, who won the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for direction in 1998.

    f) Mark my word, Theatre will outlive technology: Sanjana Kapoor

    16 November 2008 08:43:47 by IANS

    I'm surprised that most of the audience patronising the Prithvi Theatre Festival in three

    venues in the city comprise young people who are used to interacting with each other through

    SMSes, MMSes, e-mail and e-mail chats. So watching a live-action play is a revelation to

    them and therefore they are enjoying the experience. Mark my word, theatre will outlive

    technology," Sanjana told IANS

    g) English theatre gaining popularity

    The second capital of Maharashtra seems to have developed a theatrical taste for English

    plays with people from various walks of life seen enjoying a drama or a stage recital, opting

    over a television soap opera.

    From school and college students to educated homemakers and service professionals, the

    audience for English dramas is growing in Nagpur. The current scene is different from the

    situation 4-5 years ago, when it was difficult to draw people to watch a play in a language

    other than Hindi or Marathi and the change augurs well for the theatre industry.

    According to Vikas Khurana, who is popularly known as the 'theatre guru' of Nagpur, and has

    founded Stagecraft, about six plays are produced on an average in a year by his group, with

    3-4 shows of a play at a time, running to packed houses.

    The group works with convents, public schools and professional colleges, conducting theatre

    workshops and stage plays for them on a regular basis.

    Khurana says theatre has to start at the grassroots level and hence he opts for schools and

    colleges.

    "There is no dearth of talent there," he said.

    h) The Economic Cost of Live Theatre

    http://metrotheatrefest.com/2010/08/12/opinion-the-economic-cost-of-live-theatre/12 /08/ 2010

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    Anandaroopa, an independent scholar and curator specializing in Vietnamese and Southeast

    Asian contemporary art, a practicing yogi of the Satyananda Yoga tradition and a theatre

    enthusiast from his New York days, on how addictive the experience of live theatre can be

    and on the need to invest in its preservation, whatever the economic cost.

    Having lived in Chennai since 2008, this is my second year of participating in the MetroPlus

    Theatre Festival (MPTF). Being an ex-New Yorker who was spoilt by the myriad of choices

    of Broadway and off Broadway plays and musicals just a few blocks from our first apartment

    near Times Square, I have been starving for live theatre during my time in Chennai.

    Attending MPTFs opening show, Break Out, satisfied some of that hunger and gave me

    food for thought about the economic cost of not having live theatre.

    At the opening party of the Festival, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief ofThe Hindu, half-jokingly

    challenged Mukund Padmanabhan, MPTFs main organizer, to increase corporate

    sponsorship next year in order to offer free tickets. Though a lofty goal from a social equalitypoint of view, economists will tell you that people do not value a free ticket. The cost and its

    opportunity cost is zero, and thus, its valuation is low.

    Besides clever marketing, good reviews either by word-of-mouth or publicity to generate that

    buzz, another time-tested successful method to create demand is set by the example of ski

    resorts that train the young to ski by offering low-cost tickets.

    Similar to skiing, live theatre or the opera is an acquired taste; you have to learn the skill,

    whether it is to maneuver the skis or to listen to an aria, to appreciate it. The act of going to

    the theatre might have a tinge of class snobbery (for some), because of the cost of the

    experience. If you are not exposed to the medium from your family or education, either

    because of economic or lack of availability, the opportunity to experience at a young age and

    exposure will build the taste, which, in the long run, can be addictive.

    I am hungry for the theatre because I want to experience those moments of divine ecstasy

    during a live performance. I am addicted to that wow moment over and over again like any

    crazed junkie needing his high. With many such moments, the Break Out story epitomizes

    the need for live theatre as an experience to challenge our humdrum existence. While on

    stage, the characters yearn for freedom as they escape from prison, the audience, sitting in thetheatre, goes on the same adventure as we escape from our daily routine, at least for 75

    minutes.

    In one memorable scene, set in a church, one escaped prisoner takes a long pause to gaze,

    with his back to the audience, at the churchs colorful stained glass windows. The tableau

    gave us, the audience, and time to reflect ourselves on the same beauty our actor experienced

    a pure moment of brilliant theatrical staging. The actor and we were one. And there were

    many moments of connection between the actors and their audience, whether funny, poignant

    or melancholic, that one can only experience in the context of live theatre not watching it

    on TV nor at the movies.

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    And because the cost of staging live productions can be prohibitive unless there are corporate

    sponsors, like the MPTF sponsors, its a blessing that we get to see any live theatre at all.

    With the right economic incentive and marketing, I predict the MPTF will continue to create

    demand so that, one day, we will see long lines all around the Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao

    auditorium for standing-room only tickets. The economic cost of producing live

    performances is high. But think about the economic cost, in terms of the nourishment of the

    human spirit, if future generations were deprived of the experience of watching live theatre.

    i) Does the kalaakar need a revenue model? (Mid-day)

    http://www.mid-day.com/specials/2010/dec/121210-indian-theatre-bankruptcy-theatre-groups.htm

    Quasar Thakore Padamsee now has time , after spending anxious weeks scrounging for funds

    to hold the 12th edition of Thespo, the annual youth theatre festival that's often found itself

    struggling to make ends meet, the group's blog thanks strangers, musicians and theatre

    practitioners from foreign lands for reaching out.

    Ministry of Culture is working on a draft policy for supporting Cultural Mega Festivals

    organised by non-government organisations across the country, under which a festival could

    receive upto Rs 15 lakh in cash and Rs 30 lakh in kind

    But it's corporate sponsor apathy that's disappointing, says the actor-director. "It's difficult to

    raise money for theatre because sponsors want instant gains. They don't want to invest time in

    a particular project but want immediate returns. It's not always about making your logo look

    better or splashing banners all over the auditorium," he says

    Thespo's open appeal for funds, and the launch of a Facebook initiative spurred a media

    debate on whether Indian theatre was nearing bankruptcy. Ironically, some of his seniors and

    contemporaries couldn't comprehend what the noise was about. "I don't think there's been as

    much money in theatre as there is today. The audience is ready to shell out money forexpensive tickets. We have been averaging 150 shows a year, across the country, for the last

    three years. Explain to me how I can do this if we weren't getting the money?" asks theatre

    veteran Rahul DaCunha, founding member of Rage Productions.

    Over the last four weeks, Thespo managed to raise Rs 3.5 lakh through the Friends of Thespo

    initiative and a generous grant by actor-director Anupam Kher. "We have been able to

    connect with the community directly to sustain the festival. Over 90 individuals have

    contributed. Corporate India needs to understand the benefit of the arts as an expression of

    what is right with society, and what's not. They must take on the cultural supporter tag,"

    argues Thakore-Padamsee.

    By: Aditi Sharma Date: 2010-12-11 Place: Mumbai

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    Although the festival will unfold on schedule, the prize money and number of shows have

    been sliced.

    Veterans in the industry, although empathetic, say it's the right time to introspect about how a

    theatre group, and the industry as a whole, are run. "It is a festival that connects Indian youth

    from across the country. I am shocked no corporate sees value in it. Perhaps they haven't

    been able to communicate well with corporates," says a theatrewalla, on condition of

    anonymity. What's needed is to engage the corporate world professionally.

    While individual effort has helped a number of groups and organisations tap into funds, the

    theatre community needs to come together and represent itself as a unit. "We should build

    bridges with allied groups, talk to top decision makers in the government, consulates, funding

    agencies and organisers of international festivals, to create a pressure group that can lobby for

    theatre," says playwright Ramu Ramanathan. He, in fact, suggests the launch of a ''Best

    Practices'' guidebook for theatre companies, and the practice of nominating a committee that

    can negotiate with corporates for sponsorship. "This will make sure the wheel doesn't have to

    be re-invented every time a new project is started. We need to integrate theatre in education

    too," he says.

    j) Arundhati Nag speaks on the revival of theatre at theatre fest

    Manu Aiyappa, TNN, Nov 20, 2001, 01.46am IST

    mysore: the centre of attraction on the second day of the national women's theatre festival

    (akka) was none other than the well-known theatre artiste arundhati nag canvassing forranga

    shankara , an ambitious theatre project dedicated to the memory of versatile actor-director

    shankar nag. At a chat at the venue, she focused on the `future of theatre in india'. "it (theatre)

    will never die as long as such events (akka) are organised, " she replied confidently. reacting

    on the poor response of youth to the national festival, she said: "theatre has reached an extent

    that, organising mega events sometimes fails to elicit larger turnouts. we cannot assume the

    rebirth of theatre will take place on the basis of crowds". "real revival will take place only

    when the small street shows manage to draw considerable crowd without any publicity". she

    goes on to say" as tastes change and one has to take into account what becomes fashionable

    for the youth." citing an example of her own, having worked in theatre for more than 20years, one wonders just how many people know or recognize me, but in case of a TV

    personalities who began acting just the other day in a couple of serials turns out to be a `hero'

    the very next day, she rued. if interest in art treasures is dwindling in literate societies what is

    its future where low awareness/literacy levels do not even qualify it as a priority, nag said.

    "art conservation and appreciation is by no means a `live' issue and we all know about

    government interest in these matters." "How many students are brought in by schools for a

    visit to this famous festival? festival or mega show, call it what you may but things cannot

    move without funding, sponsors, donations and a healthy and keen interest both among the

    audience and the management. this is the reason why we have conceived ranga shankaratheatre project," she said. "Karnataka has a good amateur movement and we want to help to

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    keep it going, so the idea is to make it affordable for all amateur theatre groups," she added.

    the project estimated at a cost of Rs 2.5 Crore will stage as many as 300 plays a year. special

    thrust to children's theatre, tie-up with schools, script, sound, music, costume and set banks,

    national and international theatre festivals, school, college, state and national level

    competitions are among the many programmes envisaged by ranga shankara.

    k) Waiting for the big ticket ( Talking about Future)

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-30/news-interviews/28354690_1_theatre-

    group-ticket-prices-prithvi-theatre

    Says actress Rohini Hattangady, who recently portrayed Kasturba Gandhi in the play

    Jagadamba during the National School of Drama's festival in Delhi, "In India, if you act in a

    play, it means you're probably not getting work in films. Also, nobody wants to spend money

    on a ticket. For a serious play like Jagadamba, it's difficult to fill up the auditorium with an

    audience."

    "Corporate firms need to look at meaningful urban theatre very seriously. Abroad, urban

    theatre is entirely supported by corporate sponsorships. Here I don't even want to ask for

    government funding, because folk and rural theatre need all the attention and financial

    support to remain vibrant and alive."Feroz Khan who was instrumental in introducing the

    concept of International Theatre Festivals in India.

    Theatreperson, writer and co-director of Peepli Live, Mahmood Farooqui performsDastangoi, the ancient Islamic tradition of oral storytelling. He says, "Serious theatre needs

    either support from the state or the business-philanthropists to survive. How many of our

    billionaires support any arts?"

    A culture for theatre is still to evolve in India. Says Rajit Kapoor, "We don't respect live

    performances. In the West, a person may come twice to see the same play."

    Theatre groups also need a home where the plays can run for a considerable time. Says Feroz

    Khan, who directed Dinner With Friends, "Other than Prithvi Theatre, the rest are multi-

    purpose auditoriums. A play is not about a star, but about a great live performance."

    Says theatreperson Sohaila Kapur, "We have oodles of talent, but not the discipline that good

    theatre demands." Actor and theatreperson Lillette Dubey believes theatre is not just an art

    form abroad, but also a commercial enterprise. She says, "We need to develop a love for

    theatre!"

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    l)Prithvi Theatre is an oasis in a crazy city: Sanjna Kapoor

    http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100146415&subc

    atg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood

    13 July 2010 08:11:14 by IANS

    "We have managed to create this little oasis out of this gem, an oasis in the midst of this

    crazy city that allows you to breathe, where you can engage in live performance in an

    intimate surrounding that is magical," Sanjna told IANS in an interview.

    "The sad thing is that any theatre of our kind, anywhere in the world, would ordinarily

    receive government grants. We, however, do not fall under any government scheme - be it

    state or central. An appalling state of affairs," said the 43-year-old whose Prithvi Theatre

    holds about 550 shows every year, of which around 100 are children's shows.

    "Since we subside our theatre rent to enable theatre groups to sustain their activity, ourannual losses have to be covered by sources other than our rent. We have survived all these

    32 years chiefly through building long-term relationships through corporate sponsorship and

    more recently with foundation grants," Sanjna told IANS.

    "We are developing more income-generating schemes within our ambit to enable us to be a

    little more self-sufficient.

    "The government should be offering relief and incentives to corporates that support the arts,

    but, alas, it does quite the opposite! If tomorrow all corporate sponsorship were to stop, wewould face a serious crisis," she added

    Indian theatre is only 250 years old! So, we are Fledgling; we need government support, and

    that requires a change in mindset."

    We haven't been able to articulate what we do. No one knows how we work, and that we

    need money all the time!" Yet Sanjana's hopeful, "In a strange way, the younger generation in

    Mumbai has a special feeling towards theatre. And if they could earn a reasonable living from

    it, their choice would be to do theatre full-time. That'll happen only if there are 10 more

    Prithvis in town! If we don't create a stabilised scenario in the next three years, we'll losetalented people from theatre," she continues, "Films are still okay because they demand a

    certain rigour. But television is the worst criminal because it breeds bad habits. Actors,

    writers and directors become sloppy!"

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    m) Global Theatre Festival floors one and all

    TNN, Jan 31, 2011, 11.05pm IST

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-31/bhubaneswar/28358311_1_theatre-

    groups-theatre-movement-artists

    CUTTACK: A recent theatre festival in the city won the hearts of audiences, covering, as it

    did, a range of socially relevant subjects such as child labour, sufferings of tribals due to

    industrialization, the struggle of an educated unemployed youth to get a job amid the

    prevailing corruption and many such serious issues. The 12-day-long extravaganza titled the

    11th Global Theatre Festival organized by Theatre Movement at Kala Bikash Kendra, looked

    at all these issues from a refreshing point of view and showcased some brilliant performances

    by talented artists.

    "The artists presented the serious problems and issues of society in a lighthearted manner.Although we were unable to understand the languages Manipuri and Assamese of some of the

    plays, the impactful performances of the artists left a lasting impression on our minds. It was

    really an interesting experience," said Somesh Rout, one of the spectators.

    n) Pursuit of pleasure becomes serious Business: Kingdom of Dreams

    The Rs 220-crore kingdom of dreams in Gurgaon showcases India's cultural diversity.

    So what's a hard-nosed, ambitious corporate warrior to do in these nasty recessionary times?

    Simple: Work harder, party even harder. India's economic boom has been awfully addictive

    and given most urban Indians a leisure fix that's hard to give up. Hot list restaurants, pub-

    hopping, chilling out in fancy malls and physical therapy in fancier spas, travel to exotic

    destinations and a free subscription to shopaholics anonymous. The extravagance may be less

    visible, the footfalls softer but there's really no slowing down: new malls, restaurants, cafes,

    spas, golf courses, luxury homes, it's almost like a pop-up culture. Two weeks ago, we saw its

    latest manifestation: Gurgaon's Kingdom of Dreams, a Rs 220-crore fantasyland of epic

    proportions spread over six acres with two hi-tech 4-D theatres built like a Maharaja's palace,an air-conditioned boulevard spread across 90,000 sq ft, showcasing India's cultural and

    culinary diversity, Khajuraho-inspired installations, bars, restaurants and a bigger-than-

    Bollywood theme. Kitsch choreographed as culture but it symbolises a scale of ambition

    representing the new India

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    o) There is Huge Theatre Audience in India: Shashi Kapoor

    http://www.junglee.org.in/shashik.html

    It is wrong to say that a theatre audience does not exist in India. it does. Only, it is still to be

    tapped professionally. The Bengali, Marathi and Tamil Theatres thrive because of provisionalsupport. The IPTA, Naya Theatre and Dishantar are making noteworthy contributions

    towards the Hindi stage, but the potentiality of the both as an art form and a source of

    entertainment has not yet been thoroughly explored. Perhaps we lack in organisation or we

    need more dedicated workers with a lot of guts to boot. Again, it is incorrect to argue that

    Film and TV will sweep the Theatre off its feet in the ensuing years. Look at Europe, USA

    and other advanced countries where both TV and Cinema have developed to a saturation

    point. Theatre exists there gracefully vis-a-vis all forms of entertainment as a form of art.

    p) Corporates taking interest in Sponsoring Theatre Art Forms (Tata Indicom Prithvi

    Theatre Festival ''08)

    http://www.tata.com/company/releases/inside.aspx?artid=d5NCdfcCgSU

    Tata Indicom, in alignment with the Tata groups philosophy, is trying to provide an impetus

    to various art forms. Tata Indicom is now delighted to announce its partnership with Prithvi

    Theatre to present to the Mumbai public some of the finest plays of contemporary India.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mukund Govind Rajan, managing director, Tata Teleservices

    (Maharashtra) said, Tata Indicom takes pride in its ability to power effective and high-quality communication, while Prithvi Theatre has always been admired for its tradition of

    innovative communication to reach out to audiences with a wide range of social messages

    through the medium of theatre. We are, therefore, delighted to partner with Prithvi Theatre

    and look forward to our partnership in helping to enhance the theatre-going audience's

    experience.