NUKKAD NATAKA - RAMLEELA

November 11, 2024

NUKKAD NATAKA - RAMLEELA

Mother Earth says no to none. Theatre aptly known as "Ranga-bhoomi", denies a chance to none. It's a platform where everything can be voiced. An art that embraces colours, emotions, feelings, costumes, voice etc being a medium where persona influences the person.

Theatre may seem a simple place, yet within its depths, an artist finds a trace,
Of power profound, where stories unfold, Shaping roles, as characters to behold.
Theatre, often perceived as a simple space, reveals profound depths where artists discover the transformative power of storytelling, shaping characters that resonate deeply with the human experience.

More than a decade into this field, I truly feel it's my fortune to have been exposed to the field of theatre, specifically hobby theatre. If nothing else, theatre nurtures my passion for acting. I was initially introduced to this field by Dr. A.N. Rao Jadhav, who conducted theatre workshops under the shade of a big banyan tree every Sunday. Although there was no play in the pipeline, he would delve into the depths of acting and personality development. My baby steps later mapped way to Ravindra Kalakshetra, a dream stage for many. Shri Veeresh Muttinmath, whom I regard as my Guru gave an opportunity to enact on stage for the first time. After constant rehearsals for more than a month, I finally stepped onto the stage. The role neither demanded any acting skills nor a great costume, since it was a minor role. It was such a role that even if I had not shown up on the day, it wouldn't have mattered to anyone. Regardless, my joy was unmatched as I could dance off the day on stage. Show after show, I started receiving more opportunities, progressing from slightly bigger roles to major ones. All thanks to Veeresh Sir, for erasing the term 'Stage fear' from my dictionary. Later, the team dissolved due to various reasons, with each team member pursuing different projects.

Fast forward to 2023. Veeresh sir assigned me a project - a script for Ramayana in English, based on an animated movie. Although the script was produced as instructed, it tholed several changes during the blocking process by the artists with the view of their convenience. I got an idea of Sir's vision as I looked through his lens. This year, after a detailed conversation with Sir, I began reworking on the script in the first week of September. I scrapped the previous script and planned to write the entire script afresh. The whole idea of drawing inspiration from an animated movie did not appease me. By the end of the third week of September, the script was ready, and our rehearsals commenced on October 5th. By the 8th of October, several major roles were assigned. If Ram walked in on the first day, Ravan was on board the next. Within a few days, the character names became our pseudonyms, with me being referred to as Sita, and not Aapti, for instance. The pseudonyms started gaining so much importance that those names suited the person a little more than their real names. Veeresh Sir, knowledgeable and creative as ever, skillfully did our blocking and explained the nature of the characters we played in detail. The team members were so supportive that getting yelled at, by Sir never demeaned our spirits.

Our director's expertise shone brightly in the seamless casting of Ram, Lakshman, and other characters, who were intricately woven into the fabric of our team. Ram and Lakshman truly embraced their roles, embodying their characters with a remarkable authenticity that mirrored their own personalities. Despite their wealth of experience, Gagan(Ram), Swaroop(Lakshman), Vinod(Tataki), and the rest of the cast accepted their roles with grace, rising to the occasion without a hint of dissent, and delivered performances that were nothing short of stellar.

Most of my scenes were with Ram, Lakshman, and Ravan, the ones who attended most of the rehearsals as well. We made several memories in a brief span of 15 days. Be it those detailed discussions with Ram while traveling in metro or those sudden paroxysms of laughter with Lakshman, we developed a strong bond in the course of the play. Not just them but each member of the team was fun to interact with. The characters we played have had a profound impact over our everyday lives and our overall personality and this experience continues to hold true with every play I am a part of.

Our play "RAMLEELA" was on 26th October 2024, at the V.R Mall under the banner 'Nukkad Nataka'. I felt happy from within when each artist pronounced the dialogues I had written. Watching each of the team members own the character, was truly a treat to the eyes. Heartfelt gratitude towards Veeresh Sir for affording us the invaluable opportunity to showcase our talents on such a prominent platform. The experience was profoundly moving, particularly when audience members approached us for photographs while barefoot, with some even expressing their reverence by bowing down. This response serves as a powerful affirmation of the enduring respect and devotion that individuals hold for our heritage and cultural legacy, leaving us genuinely touched.

Our endeavors do not conclude here; Team Vande Matharam is diligently working on a multitude of forthcoming productions. We look forward to continuing this artistic journey and further enriching our cultural narrative through the medium of theatre.

There exists a delicate demarcation between the realms of life and theatre. When one makes a life choice, it is irrevocable; similarly, in theatre, each act is a singular event, devoid of the luxury of a retake. The interactions we foster—whether they serve to uplift or dissuade—are mirrored in both life and theatrical endeavors. However, it is imperative to recognize that theatre cannot be merely construed as a replica of life; rather, it encapsulates the collective experiences of many, forming a vibrant tapestry of human expression. Theatre may be pursued as a cherished pastime or as a vital source of sustenance. The quintessence of theatre is challenging to articulate, yet countless individuals have devoted their lives in nurturing this art form.

With that said, I am thrilled to announce that I'll be soon taking my next step into the world of literature. My new book is coming soon! It will be an exhilarating exploration of captivating domains, including theatre.

Stay Tuned!

Attaching below are a few pictures from the play!