With the earthquake putting a stop to almost all forms of life, that progress seems to have hit a roadblock. Have all the hard work and efforts the artists put in to raise the standard gone for a toss? How will theatre revive itself now? Those are some of the many questions that currently haunt many theatregoers. But the good news is that, as the nation gets up, dusts itself off, and starts picking up the pieces, it seems like theatre too, has started doing just that.
Drama Therapy
Many theatre artists have been busy with relief works in the affected areas. Those that would have normally spent the time rehearsing are out helping those in need, doing whatever little they can. While Sarwanam Theatre is still conducting workshops for students who have been rehearsing for their production, they haven't put up any plays. They, however, are contemplating on conducting awareness programs in the near future, for the benefit of people stricken with fear of tremors and its effect, much like what people are doing at the Theatre Village.
Jeebesh Rayamajhi, program coordinator of Theatre Village, says that immediate plans consist of a fundraiser, drama therapy, and other theatre activities in their part. "Before the unfortunate event, a new drama 'Singhadurbar ko tender' had just premiered. We won't be staging it now, but we do have some activities planned to help people cope up with the situation. From May 28 to 30, we are conducting a program for children from the affected areas with the hope that they can divert their minds, albeit temporarily. The activity called Playback is a theatre form which will engage them, and along with other drama activities, it will help take their minds off the situation," he says.
Many artists and actors have been using the form of comedy to relieve people of this stress. Aruna Karki, a senior theatre artist, says that such activities conducted by the theatre artists will distract children who haven't been able to go to schools because of the tremors from focusing too much on the earthquake. "Its importance is accentuated by the fact that there are many government schools which have been damaged, and they won't be able to go to schools for some time now," she says. The community of theatre artists has been discussing about operating the plan in full swing in the coming days.
While many theatre artists are busy doing or planning relief activities like this, Rayamajhi is hopeful that the situation may finally direct the Nepali theatre scene towards a different kind of theatre. Nepali theatre was still in its growing phase when the disaster halted its developments. Its growth wasn't specific and the plays didn't always have a targeted audience. "But this situation presents an opportunity for theatre people to come up with a theatre that we previously didn't venture upon, one that is based on therapy. It's something that could deal with loss and help people tackle trauma," he says.
In western society, people are, in a way, encouraged to express what they are feeling, for the sake of catharsis, and hence get involved in dance therapy with loud music, for example. But what worked there might not work here. Our culture promotes mourning period, which encourages activities for the sake of the departed soul rather than the living, and so it may be hard for people to open up to this kind of theatre. We will just have to wait and see how things will play out.
The Act Two
While the country is reeling under the magnitude of the disaster and incessant trembles, theatre artists have been taking it no different than the rest. Ghimire Yubraj, theatre actor and director, says that he found it hard to do anything considered normal for up to two weeks since the first earthquake. "But while I was out for relief works, I realized that I was in a much better state than most of the victims I came across," he says.
Currently stationed at Biratnagar and working with local theatre artists and community theatres there and planning to work in other districts like Kavre and Sindhupalchowk that plan on putting up street performances, he intends to do his bit in making things normal. However, commercial theatre is out of question. "Though this profession has been affected like many others, it isn't like any other profession. We can't think about collecting money from plays right now. In fact, most of my friends are worried about what kind of plays should be showcased for audience's relief," he says.
Buddhi Tamang, theatre artist and actor, emphasizes spreading positive and encouraging messages through plays. "Plays, allegorical in nature, with simple messages of unity in the troubled times is where we would like to start from," he says.
The Stage
This time around, how and where the stage is, play an important part in making the audience relaxed about the situation. For people who have been forced to prefer the open skies over buildings, closed spaces might prove to be a problem.
Many theatre members have focused on the importance of arranging plays that are suitable to be performed in any space, whether open or closed. Open spaces are, undoubtedly, what one would prefer. However, with the oncoming monsoon and the unpredictable weather that brings along unwelcome storm and wind that too seems like a challenge.
However, for now, understanding the situation, theatre artists are instead focusing on the street performances, and as Tamang says, they are working on 'portable drama,' so that it can be presented anywhere.
It's a different story for Theatre Mall in Kathmandu Mall at Sundhara, though. Established only last year, it's perhaps the only theatre situated on the seventh floor. Though the building has been declared safe by experts, it might be a while before people feel comfortable enough to step in.
The Audience
Understandably, it comes down to how many people really want to seek the kind of entertainment theatre presents. "Right now, people's priority is food, shelter and clothing," says Pashupati Rai, theatre artist. "People who previously enjoyed theatre and the plays might not feel the same way about it now," she says. Her concerns are echoed by many theatre artists who think that now is not the right time for theatre.
Kedar Shrestha, artistic director at Theatre Mall, says, "The audience that frequents these plays are mainly those who have come here from outside the valley. The tremors have scared them away to their respective places, and even those left wouldn't exactly be interested in entertainment right away."
Interestingly, there have also been inquiries about possible new plays despite what the theatre members say. "Since it happened, I've been getting calls from people asking if we were putting up new plays anytime soon. One called the other day and said that there are no places to visit and nothing to do all day long and he'd like to watch a play," Rayamajhi says. He, however, hasn't let phone calls get his hopes too high. "He is one of the loyal audiences, but there aren't that many of them," he says.
The Final Scene
Kumar Nagarkoti, author and dramatist, says, "It might seem like theatre has been deeply affected by the disaster. What I believe is that theatre is just taking a break. When things start going back to normal, the theatre scene will be running in the same pace, and probably even more. Meanwhile, artists, dramatists, and other concerned people will be creating materials that motivate and boost the morale of people in the wake of this disaster."
"Art is a form that can convince people to overcome their fear and express their feelings," says Kripa Bajracharya, who has been in the theatre scene for a year. With any luck, this need to express fear, to see it materialize on stage, will make things easier for the almost dead theatre to come back to life. One of the main formulas one can rely on is time. "It's human nature to forget, though it might take a little more time. But again, time heals everything. And the show will go on," Rai says.
sachimulmi@gmail.com
Related story
Progressivism: Approaching Rationalism Over Radicalism
