Theatre personality Arundhati Raja is set to restage Girish Karnad’s play Bali in Bengaluru. Arundhati Raja, who once juggled teaching sciences and theatre, made the decision to dedicate herself solely to theatre. As she prepares for an English adaptation of Girish Karnad’s Kannada classic, Hittina Hunja — Bali: The Sacrifice — she discusses the experience of revisiting a play after many years, the obstacles she encountered, and her aspirations for the future of theatre. Here are some key points from her interview:
"I found AI to be very helpful when directing Bali again."
Arundhati Raja believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool if used wisely. While she previously collaborated closely with Girish Karnad, this time she turned to AI for assistance. Even though AI doesn't possess Girish's expertise, it provided its own unique support. Although Bali was staged some time ago, she had to recast two roles this time, but everything else fell into place smoothly. Revisiting the play was like revisiting the original production.
"English theatre in Bengaluru has evolved significantly."
Having lived in the UK, Arundhati Raja was pleasantly surprised by the English plays in Bengaluru when she first arrived. Over time, these plays started incorporating Indian elements while still being performed in English. Moreover, translations of local language plays into English helped stories reach a broader audience. The theatre scene in Bengaluru has undergone numerous transformations, reflecting the dynamic nature of theatre itself.
"Theatre is a collaborative endeavor."
Arundhati Raja emphasizes the importance of training in theatre to comprehend the complexities of the craft. It involves more than just delivering lines or moving on stage; it requires a deep understanding of dialogue delivery and natural performance. Theatre is a team-based activity that demands dedication and skill from all involved.You can adopt the persona you are aiming to present, as acting is a collaborative effort. While audiences tend to watch numerous disappointing films, they are less likely to give live theater a second opportunity. Theater is a demanding form of entertainment. If viewers do not enjoy a play, they may not consider attending another theatrical performance. Remarkably, these same individuals might readily watch another movie, despite having a negative experience with a previous one. There exists a prevailing sentiment that theater is dull or exclusive to intellectuals. However, this belief is quite far from reality.
