When Objects Express

Ghosh’s introduction to this form of theatre was fleeting. “During certain discussions at Katkatha Puppets Arts Trust,founded by Anurupa Roy,I came across this term and was intrigued by it,” says the actor,who has been working with Roy since 2004.

When she came to know about the summer workshop on it in France for mid-career theatre puppetry professional,she applied immediately. Of the 15 selected theatre practitioners,she was among the few who were not from Europe and had very little exposure to this art.

Once she was back in Mumbai,her theatre friends prodded her to conduct workshops and share her experience. As is the case with most theatre activities,the small living room in Ghosh’s Andheri home became the space for these workshops. “Some became regulars and even collaborated in developing related theatrical works. Theatre actors such as Ratnabali Bhattacharjee and Kshipra Jain came forward to make Nostos. Other enthusiasts,such as actors Puja Sarup and Faezeh Jalali,too,worked closely with us,” says Ghosh.

Accordingly to Bhattacharjee,theatre actors are often looking for newer ways to express creatively. “Object Theatre expands the range of an actor. It challenges an actor to breathe life into an inanimate object and bring out its character. This requires a lot of work,” she says,adding that she enjoys the way it pushes her creative boundary.

Roy believes that India is ready for new things. “Our audiences have been exposed to many new forms over the years. Credit goes to the Ishara International Puppet Festival,which has completed 10 years and has been bringing the international puppet scene to India,thus making Indian audiences broaden their horizons,” says the Katkatha founder. She is happy that Ghosh is trying to find a definition for Object Theatre which is Indian and her own. “This struggle is leading to wonderful innovations,” Roy adds. Tram Theatre’s next play,A Bird’s Eye View,can vouch for that. In this,Ghosh gives a view of the conflict-ridden world through a war carrier pigeon’s eyes. This non-verbal performance will take place in Delhi on April 19 and 20 before travelling to Mumbai,where she will conduct workshops for children in May.