VASANTHNAGAR: On Sunday evening, Alliance Francaise played host to the reading of Mandap, written and directed by Vijay Padaki of Bangalore Little Theatre.
City Express caught up with him to discuss a life in theatre.
Excerpts from an interview:
What is it about theatre that inspires you?
It is the mother of all performing arts and the ultimate distillation of creative expression. The truth? One will never know the whole truth. It could be as down-to-earth as serving the need to belong.
It could be the appearance of inspirational personalities at the right time in life.
I have worn two caps all my life — over 55 years in the theatre, with a special interest in writing and training, and over 45 years in the field of management (Padaki is one of the founder-faculty members of IIM Bangalore and the founder-director of P&P Group, a management resource centre), with a special interest in organisation and institutional development. My sanity is still intact (because I strike a balance).
Tell us about Mandap...
It is one in a series of plays inspired by my field experiences in development programmes, mainly in rural areas. The phenomenon of rape as a privilege of the upper caste seemed worthy of exploration, beyond the surface sensationalism. It was about getting at least a feel of the many layers of a complex sociological reality.
Has there been any
change in you since you started writing this play?
The play was written 10 years ago. Every group that sees the script comes to the same conclusion: nothing has changed in the countryside.
What are the challenges you come across in your profession?
In theatre, the real, long-term, strategic challenge is something I have talked about at many fora: increasing ‘social investment’ in theatre and the performing arts. It is, incidentally, also a management challenge.
What are your plans for growth?
Not much of a plan for my own growth. I have done quite a bit, I think. My plans are mainly towards the growth of Bangalore Little Theatre Foundation — creating opportunities for a bunch of eager, motivated, competent young people who want to pursue theatre seriously.
What are the current goals you are focussing on and how are you working towards it?
Two new programmes, one for the elderly and another in storytelling theatre.
How do maintain a good rapport with your team?
First: communicate, communicate and communicate. Second: empathise, empathise and empathise.
What is your favourite part about theatre and writing plays?
The act of writing is far more satisfactory than the product on stage. I completed my 40th play in 2014. The enjoyment peaks with the last sentence in place. Beyond that, I really feel no deep need to be seen as a playwright.
If you hadn’t chosen theatre, what would you be doing?
A second chance in life? Probably a cultural anthropologist because it is a vocation in which you are forced to see wholes beyond the parts.