While theatre is struggling to survive in the metros, efforts are being made in Steel City to bring back its old glory. The zeal of the theatre fraternity and the return of the audience to the auditorium are signs that the toughest form of the performing media – theatre is on comeback mode.
Organisations like TAJ (Theatre Artistes of Jamshedpur), PATH, Nishan and Tagore Society are working hard to bring back the lost glory of theatre.
Theatre activists feel that attention should be given to generate interest and it is the responsibility of performers and directors to come out with quality theatre. Although the steel city had a good theatre culture but initiative should be taken to promote it and get more people involved to revive the lost glory.
“Theatre caters to a very niche audience but it has a vast subject and it involves acting, stage set up, lighting and voice modulation. People need to understand that films allure people because of glamour but few people understand that theatre has its own glamour. We are trying to make them understand it,” said Gautam Shankar, a theatre activist.
Shankar, who has acted in plays directed by veteran Alque Padamsee, said that there are several associations in the city that are working for the promotion of theatre activities. TAJ (Theatre Artistes of Jamshedpur), PATH, Nishan are playing key role in organising festivals and brining theatre lovers back in front of the stage.
The city witnessed its golden period in theatre during 50s and 60s when even legendary Prithviraj Kapoor performed with a teenaged Shashi Kapoor here at The Milanee. However during the late 80s and 90s, the advent of the satellite television played spoilsport and the audience started moving away from theatre.
"Theater was in poor shape here as nobody wanted to get involved with it for poor pay and lack of recognition. We have been facing financial crisis and due to inflation too and were forced to do away with festivals but we are getting support from the corporates too and are working hard to bring back the lost glory of theatre in our city,” said Mohammed Nizam, a famous director.
However, theatre in the city has improved tremendously in the last few years. Not only are more youngsters taking to acting but even the average age of the audience has dropped significantly, redefining the theatre experience itself.
Theatre Artists of Jamshedpur (TAJ) the leading amateur theatre group in the city is also working to make more people, including youngsters, understand and love theatre and involve them in keeping the art form alive.