Two years ago, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) conceptualised a new initiative which brought cheer to theatre enthusiasts who were lamenting the lack of avenues for experimental regional acts in the city. Gujarati theatre festival Vasant, a property designed to showcase talent from the regional hinterlands, is back again and will be held from March 22 to 24. It will showcase three plays on wide-ranging topics, performed by groups from Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Designed as a space for wholesome entertainment, the fest will present a mix of political humour, historical reinterpretation and mythological retrospect. The productions that will be premiering this time are Karl Marx In Kalbadevi, Bahot Nachyo Gopal and Hu Chhu Mohandas. Says Deepa Gahlot, head of programming, theatre and film, NCPA, "I used to receive complaints from theatre lovers that experimental theatre in Gujarati doesn’t get its due. Because of their demand and the interest shown by theatre practitioners, we decided to give this project a space at the NCPA."
Bahot Nachyo Gopal: March 23, 7.30 pm
This play comprises a series of seven monologues from the Mahabharata that throw light on the characters of Devaki, Radha, Rukmini, Sudama, Arjun, Draupadi and Krishna.
Bahot Nachyo Gopal: March 23, 7.30 pm
This play comprises a series of seven monologues from the Mahabharata that throw light on the characters of Devaki, Radha, Rukmini, Sudama, Arjun, Draupadi and Krishna.
Karl Marx In Kalbadevi: March 22, 6.30 pm
The play shows the comeback of an irate Karl Marx, who feels that his name and his ideologies of communism and socialism have been maligned in the present day. He lands up in Mumbai in the Kalbadevi area. He tries to speak to someone but no one in the city has the time to listen to his views on economics, politics and philosophy.