World Theatre Day

March 27, 2021 admn_young_news

Every year March 27 is observed as World Theatre Day. The initiative to observe world theatre day was taken by The International Theatre Institute (The world’s largest performing arts body) in 1962. Many events are organised by different institutions around the world to celebrate this day. The videos of performers from the different centres around the world are uploaded on ITI website on this day. Everyone can watch those videos on March 27.
Why is The World Theatre Day celebrated?
The celebration of World Theatre Day helps to spread the awareness about theatre as the medium of communication and it also celebrates the contributions of legends in the field of theatre. The ITI conference started in Helsinki, Finland.
Each year a stalwart in the field of theatre or a person “outstanding in heart and spirit” from any other field is invited to share the understandings of theatre according to them.
So to be a part of this important celebration Kiran from youngistan interviewed very famous, learned and successful personality in the field of Indian Theatre.
The person she interviewed was Pratap Phad who is an actor and writer known for Anekant(2015), Ananya(2020) and Force(2011).
Q. We would like to know how and when your interest in the field of theatre developed?
A: After I passed 12th I got admission in Ramnarain Ruia college Mumbai I got into an organisation called ‘Natyawalay’ which works in the field of fine arts. When I started in Natyawalay the first few projects in which I did activities like acting, writing and directing that helped me to discover my incline towards the field of theatre. So Natyawalay made me both serious and fond of theatre. Thanks to Ruia college, Mumbai for making me discover and develop artist in me.
Q. Which was the first play you wrote?
A: The first One Act Play I wrote was in hindi named ‘इंद्रधनुष का आठवा रंग’ and the first play I wrote was a Marathi play named ‘अंगाई’ in 2011.
Q. I would like to know about the journey of one of the most famous One Act Play you wrote which was Ananya? 39 Awards were given to this play how was this journey altogether?
A: If the play got 39 awards the you can easily say this was a nice journey indeed but on a serious note, Ananya was a One Act Play which I wrote for Ruia college in 2009-10 that year almost all awards in the category of one act play was given to Ananya in different One Act Play competition. At first I had no intentions of making a play of Ananya in fact I wanted this story to get delivered in the movie format. Later the Gujrati theatre approached me for the rights of Ananya and it was in Gujrathi the Ananya was transformed into a full-fledged commercial play. Later when Suyog approached me for Ananya in Marathi there was no second thought in my mind because of the value of such a big banner. I had developed confidence of content by then because of the positive response it got from the Gujrathi audience and when the play was finally made in Marathi it got positive initial response from the Marathi audience as well. I was sure that this two hours experience will not be boring and it will also feel dragged. Ananya made me familiar and known in the Industry. Name, fame, money and almost every expectation an artist has from his work was fulfilled by Ananya. Now people are expecting more such work from me.
Q. Which was the first award given to Ananya? How did you feel back then?
A: The funny thing is Ananya got nominated for many awards but we only got two awards initially. The first award which was given was for the best actress in theatre by Mahrashtra Times. Rutuja Bagwe played lead in Ananya and dedication she put in the role made us sure about the award. We knew that Rutuja would get rewarded and she got the award. The thing about every award is that an artist always get confidence about his work. A validation from audience is a different thing but when your work is recognized by the critics it makes the work more special. The technicalities and content of the play gets a validation. Total 39 awards were given to Ananya and I would like to say award was special for me may it be the first or the 39th.
Q. What was your experience of preparing the cast for the play? Specially how was the experience of working with Rutuja Bagwe?
A: I had experience of the One Act Play version of Ananya so I was very clear about process of preparation and rehearsals I also knew what was needed from the Cast so I almost had no difficulties while rehearsals and Rutuja knew that this play demanded physical transformation from her so the real struggle was to find the right trainer and preparing physically. Rutuja increased her flexibility of legs and also worked on improving strength. She dedicated her time for the physical demands the play needed and we all saw the end result. So rehearsals were like any other routine rehearsal there were no difficulties as such.
Q. I would like to know about the experience of taking this Play to the Hindi audience? Is there any difference in Marathi and Hindi audience?
A: Because of the reactions and positive response from the Marathi audience for Ananya. We didn’t had any pre-jitters before putting this play in front of Hindi people because even if ‘the language changes the feelings still remain the same’. People are same all over so we knew what kind of response we will get from Hindi audience and as per our expectations it was received well by Hindi audience. Many celebrities and big people came to watch Ananya even they praised it and also they chose to tweet about it on social media. As we all know because of lockdown and pandemic currently we are unable to open the play so it is stopped for now.
The difference between the Marathi theatre and Hindi theatre audience is Marathi people are more excited to watch the plays whereas less enthusiasm is seen in Hindi folks. So for now we are opening the Ananya in Marathi from 4th April the opening date of this play in Hindi is not decided yet.
Q. You are from Parbhani where theatre moment and awareness about theatre is not that great I can say that because I also come from that city. I would like to know how your family played a role in the development of your career? Didn’t they oppose you because of this unconventional choice of career?
A: Fortunately I come from a financially good family. Because of this aspect I never had any difficulties while I was taking education. The only thing they expected from me was to complete my formal education and then I was allowed to work in the field of my choice. When they saw my work in theatre, when they watched plays they became sure about my seriousness for my profession and then they believed in me. The family support was very instrumental in shaping my professional career as a theatre artist.