Dubai: A perfect introduction to Indian theatre with 'Baat Karamat'

Tradition means ‘the practices which flow with the time.’ That’s how it is best explained in the Upanishad. The traditions are most contemporary with longer history, so is theatre. Three aspects we must value from history and culture is literature, natural intelligence, and human conduct. Literary heritage keeps the time alive, a reader travels in an era particular through the literature of the period. This practice of reading (all forms of written words) listening (stories, poems and songs) and watching words (theatre) makes mankind wiser and adds to natural intelligence. When we practice this combination of art and intelligence, we naturally understand humans better and this happens effortlessly through stories. In fact, narratives are the essence of a calm, passionate, loving and progressive society. My pride, my land Rajasthan, is filled with many such chronicles of traditions and culture and the more I travel to different parts of the world for my shows, the more I value those practices and they keep me rooted; and yes, these are the roots which grow upwards.

Explain to a layman, what physical theatre means and your tendency to be drawn to it?

Theatre is considered supreme in all forms of poetry as emotions are best reflected in drama. Physical theatre is the genre where a story is painted live through body movements, on canvas of stage. Being a dancer and an actor, it was difficult for me to think of anything which has no rhythm and movements. The intense expressions of the body have always inspired me to create more through the body and less through peripheral additions.

How do the dancers feature in the plot, can we know more about the dance forms, etc.

Baat Karamat is ‘total theatre’ as this has physical moves to support verbal and vice versa. A performance where the manifestation of every element stands tall to reflect powerfully. To keep the integrity of a plot, the ecosystem I chose is the folk of Rajasthan and the dances are also folk ones. Although this can be the story of any place and environment, as I belong to that culture, I could do justice to both story and culture. Dances carry the story forward. The story and dance are interwoven.

The play utilises larger than life themes and beautiful props, elements of physical theatre, dance and music to convey the narrative which will touch a nerve with any audience member. It is the perfect introduction to Indian theatre. It is a comedy production that uses clean, simple language to take you on a roller coaster journey which is going to be fun for the entire family.

A cautionary tale

“Storytelling is a common part of cultures across the world, and every person, every family, have them passed on from generation to generation. Over time the stories have moved from stories about societies to stories about individuals and their exploits. The moment we shifted to individualistic narratives, we lost perspectives of the larger culture, norms and context that made these individuals. Baat Karamat is one such cautionary tale,” says writer-director, Mahua Krishnadev.

‘We need myth to feel good’

“From my childhood days, I have been fascinated by the countless stories revered within the scope of our epic Indian mythology. In my opinion, we need “myth” to imagine, dream and feel good about ourselves. Every culture creates these myths and transmits them through stories, symbols and rituals. The numerous stories from the two great Hindu epics; Ramayana and Mahabharata have been the most cherished stories that I’ve heard in my entire life. These epic stories not only opened a new world of imagination for me but also through the narratives of past events, interspersed teachings on the most significant aims/goals of human life,” says actor Karan Sharma on his favourite story.

Favourite storyteller

“Every night, my nani (maternal grandmother) would tell me a story; sometimes about the kings and their magical palaces or sometimes about a simple farmer. But her stories used to take three-four days to complete. They were a regular bedtime feature that was looked forward to. I slept happily dreaming of the stories and the characters,” says actor Shalini Handa on her favourite storyteller as a child.