Theatre with a Cause

He redefined the way theatre was conceived and performed in Punjab. A missionary,socialist,rebel,dramatist,activist,writer and a theatre director par excellence,Gursharan Singh says common man is his hero. Theatre for change,one that brings to fore the concerns of the common man and adds value to their lives,has been Singh’s mission for the last many decades. He believes […]

He redefined the way theatre was conceived and performed in Punjab. A missionary,socialist,rebel,dramatist,activist,writer and a theatre director par excellence,Gursharan Singh says common man is his hero. Theatre for change,one that brings to fore the concerns of the common man and adds value to their lives,has been Singh’s mission for the last many decades. He believes that creating awareness on key issues through theatre that reaches the rural audience is always needed. So,Singh stays away from the elitist theatre,for he believes it has nothing to say or contribute.

Influencing and encouraging an entire generation of young theatre activists,actors and theatre directors,Singh formed the Chandigarh School of Drama in the late ‘80s and to date,his students continue to stage his timeless plays. To pay tribute to their teacher and mentor,Singh’s students,actors and fans have been staging the Gursharan Singh Nat Utsav for the last eight years.

The festival is staged every year in September,around the 16th,which happens to be Singh’s birthday. He turns 82 this year. Anita Shabdeesh of Suchetak Rangmanch,who considers Singh as her guru and has been an integral part of the festival ever since its inception,is back on stage this year for the three-day festival that started on September 15 at Punjab Kala Bhavan.

This year’s edition features Rabindranath Tagore’s play Laal Kaner,adapted in Punjabi,depicting the life of workers in a gold mine. The grand finale will see two of Singh’s plays: Baba Bolda Hai,a poignant play based on the 1984 riots,and Mitti Da Mul,an inspirational story about those who are considered nothing,like mitti (dust),but ultimately discover their value. “This production depicts the playwright’s strong mind. He has been our inspiration for years and will influence the coming generations,’’ says Shabdeesh.

The festival is on till September 17 at Punjab Kala

Bhavan,Sector 16. The plays will be staged at 6:45pm

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