(This is the second in a series on Guerilla Functionaries - independent artists who are actively involved in arts education )
Arundhati and Jagdish Raja recently inaugurated their very own theatre space - Jagriti in Whitefield. The logo for Jagriti evokes an arising, an awakening and was a gift to the theatre by Ray + Keshavan.
The enormity of this moment, the birth of Jagriti, can only be understood by other independent theatre artists who live and work in India. We don't have an Arts Council or a National Endowment for the Arts backing us. The state doesn't care very much about English speaking artists. We have a handful of people or organizations we can turn to as patrons. So we pretty much do everything possible to earn a living while continuing with this world of theatre. And in this scenario, a husband and wife team dreamed a huge and romantic dream, to have their own theatre, and today the dream is realized!
Arundhati and Jagdish Raja recently inaugurated their very own theatre space - Jagriti in Whitefield. The logo for Jagriti evokes an arising, an awakening and was a gift to the theatre by Ray + Keshavan.
The enormity of this moment, the birth of Jagriti, can only be understood by other independent theatre artists who live and work in India. We don't have an Arts Council or a National Endowment for the Arts backing us. The state doesn't care very much about English speaking artists. We have a handful of people or organizations we can turn to as patrons. So we pretty much do everything possible to earn a living while continuing with this world of theatre. And in this scenario, a husband and wife team dreamed a huge and romantic dream, to have their own theatre, and today the dream is realized!
Jagu and Runa have been acting, directing, teaching and producing plays in a prolific fashion for what seems to be forever in the Bangalore arts scene. My first experience with them was when I played Agnes in John Pielmeier's Agnes of God. And then Toni Simmons in Abe Burrow's Cactus Flower. And then...and then...and then.
When I sent them a mail saying how wonderful Jagriti is, Jagu replied "It is ours, and that includes you". Simple and so true. If this is to be a community supported theatre we have to support it with the entirety of our hearts and souls. We have to contribute through new works, festivals, workshops, sponsorship, voluntarism and things. Yes, things! Arundhati Nag told me that when she was building Rangashankara she was grateful for tiles and bathroom fittings. It's not easy, this task of building and running a theatre. And yet it gives so much to the community. So contribute the community must, and the best contribution of all is as an audience; by attending shows, buying tickets, supporting live performance and thus, such fantastic dreams as Jagriti.
An interview with Arundhati Raja on the creation of Jagriti:
Our focus is theatre but we are open to all the performing arts. We are looking at programming say a month or two weeks with various themes eg Young People in June (ICSE/CBSE schools are just back after summer and International schools have yet to go on summer hols) , Music & Dance, India Month in August. a family "blockbuster in Dec.
http://www.jagrititheatre.com/
When I sent them a mail saying how wonderful Jagriti is, Jagu replied "It is ours, and that includes you". Simple and so true. If this is to be a community supported theatre we have to support it with the entirety of our hearts and souls. We have to contribute through new works, festivals, workshops, sponsorship, voluntarism and things. Yes, things! Arundhati Nag told me that when she was building Rangashankara she was grateful for tiles and bathroom fittings. It's not easy, this task of building and running a theatre. And yet it gives so much to the community. So contribute the community must, and the best contribution of all is as an audience; by attending shows, buying tickets, supporting live performance and thus, such fantastic dreams as Jagriti.
An interview with Arundhati Raja on the creation of Jagriti:
1. Could you tell us about the genesis of Jagriti? When did the dream begin?
Having a space to perform has always been an aspiration from the start of ART (the resident theatre company of JAGRITI) in 1982. It took shape when we began the Joint Development in 2002/2003 of the 3-acre farm that had been our home since 1973.
2. What were the challenges along the way and how did you work through them?
Actually our one and only challenge has been the developer who has been unprofessional and has delayed the project for nearly seven years. On the other hand, working with the architect, the lighting and sound designers and contractors has been a good collaborative process.
3. How do you visualize Jagriti's place in a local and national arts scenario?
We see it as a space for good performance, for the nurturing of new and innovative work, for the encouragement of the local community to involve themselves in the arts.We would like to become the "most wanted" destination for companies!
4. What role does arts education play in Jagriti?
A major role - workshops and training in the performing arts and communication skills with the offer of a TRINITY College London assessment and certificate; an outreach programme is planned. But we would like to encourage schools to visit the theatre to experience a professional space to encourage management to incorporate arts education more formally into their curriculum.
5. How can the Bangalore community play a part in Jagriti's future?
In so many ways - as performers, trainers, speakers, lecturers, house hosts, volunteers. And importantly as audience for all the programmes.
6. What is the canvas of events one can hope to experience at Jagriti over the next year?
http://www.jagrititheatre.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment