To a lot of us, theatre is a word that got buried under bulging tubs of popcorn, overpriced Pepsi and gleaming floors - of multiplexes. If pushed harder, it is something that many associate exaggerated dialogue-delivery, sparse stage-design and Naseeruddin Shah with. There's also a certain elitish quirkiness that one tends to slot artistes and audiences of theatre in.
A tiny but thriving sub-section of the city realizes this. Good for Hyderabad.
Adding to the budding fervour for theatre in the city, and taking passion for the field to another level is Samahaara, who want to see theatre grow into a preferred career option for youth - and not just for those kurta-clad 'art' types. 'Samahaara' is the theatre wing of 'The Magic If Creations,' the first theatre company of Hyderabad. 'Samahaara', which means 'culmination', is also a word which defines what the group stands for. To them, making theatre is a journey of understanding - one that lets them communicate and be a part of something that will help in an excavation of feelings.
Samahaara has been around for 5 years now, and have been making efforts take theatre to the young, through plays, theatre workshops, technical support and directorial services. Rathna Shekar Reddy, the Director of the company, invites theatre enthusiasts to be a part of their journey to explore, experiment and discover a new way of making theatre happen in Hyderabad.
The Hyderabad Theatre Festival is one of their initiatives in that direction. The event is being conducted in association with the University of Hyderabad, the British Library Hyderabad, Yavanika, LIC of India, Hansel School, Ashish Pearls, Planet M, fullhyd.com, Hampshire Plaza Hotel, Jawed Habib Banjara Hills, Clear Vision, and 040.
It is on from the 10th June to the 14th at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan auditorium, and will see theatre groups from Hyderabad showcasing their productions. The schedule for the festival is as follows:
10 June
Main Raahi Masoom - By Rangadhara Theatre Stream
11 June
Ayn Rand's Night Of January 16th - By Nasr Dramatic Society
12 June
Vijay Tendulkar's 'Anji' - By Nishumbita
13 June
Mahesh Dattani's 'Bravely Fought The Queen' - By D Fir Dramatics
14 June
Neil Simon's 'The Good Doctor' - By Dramanon
Passes of Rs. 100, Rs. 200 and Rs. 500 are available at the venue, and at Planet M stores (Banjara Hills Road No. 1, Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad Central, Madhapur & Parklane). Booking can also be done on www.bookmyshow.com.
Please contact Rathna Shekar Reddy at 98852-88982 / Kanchan at 96524-59389 for further details.
