CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPER

ALTERNATIVE THEATRE

THEATRE DUNIA( ISSN 2321-8959)
VOL. 7 ISSUE 1, AUGUST 2019
The submission deadline: 30 June 2019

Introducing the issue

Theatre is on the path of resurgence. Theatre has developed into an art that coexists with the creative milieu rather than remaining independent of it, it now seeks out alternative spaces that are conducive to this newfound reality. There have been several successful attempts to stage shows in a manner such that both the performer and the audience feel equally involved in the production. Such a development has necessitated a rethinking of the spaces in which theatre has traditionally been performed. This evolution has led to the creation of many alternative spaces for theatre. In a time when mainstream dominates all spheres, people are constantly in search for the alternative. In the unstable political period of the 20th century around the world, the emergence of new theaters became necessary. It had an impact on Indian theater. Anti-war protests, anti-colonial protests instantly created new audiences.For new audiences, new production styles and performance spaces became necessary in theater. The origin of the ‘Alternative Theater’ can be said from here, which wanted to break all the stable realistic structures. In India, a different type of theater has emerged from the sixties in the seventies. As a result of social, political and economic changes, Free Theatre, Third Theatre, Intimate Theatre, plays of different performance spaces, Blind Theatre, Black Theatre, Students’ plays etc. have developed.

Play : “Kabira”
Edited & Directed by Dani Karmakar
Date of performance : 16 May, 2019; 6.30 p.m.
Venue: Ajitesh Manch, Dum Dum

The play ‘Kabira’ is based on the famous play ‘Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein’ which was written by Hindi writer Bhishma Sahni in the 1980’s. In the 1980s, the politics of communal movement had become dangerous. The play describes the outstanding Indian saint poet Kabir’s life and his thoughts that express revulsion against untouchability and religious exclusivism. Kabir’s verses are still relevant which reject autocracy of fundamentalism. The play traces some events in his life and restrictive social conditions in the meantime. This drama is about an era when religious organizations divided society into the interests of their own and the basis of religion. We can see today’s time to talk about Kabir’s era. It highlights the issue of increasing racism, corruption, discrimination, untouchability and communalism. Kabir was repeatedly beaten by religious groups in his life. They tried to kill him. They were put him in front of a mad elephant. They tried to drown him in the Ganges. But he did not move away from his thoughts. He stayed in his opinion. He said of the humanity that God is the one, God lives in all, who has motivated us even today. We are trying to highlight the life of Kabir on the basis of today’s time. We trying to highlight today’s situation of Dalits, the horrific image of religious unrest, the ferocity of fundamentalism through this play. Kabir has been struggling against religious fanaticism throughout his life, against ruthlessness of racism, against fundamentalism. The play connects the struggle of Kabir in a medieval environment with all distortions in the contemporary society.

International Theatre Festival
Call For Submission
(Here is the link of application form)
Application Form

Play : “Antaran”
Playwright & Direction: Dani Karmakar
Date of performance : 12 October 2018, 7p.m.
Venue: Ajitesh Manch, Dum Dum

Play : “Antaran”
Playwright & Direction: Dani Karmakar
Date of performance : 23 September 2018, 6p.m.
Venue: Nazrul Satabarshiki Sadan (near Madhyamgram)

International Theatre Festival
Call For Submission
Download Application Form

Play : “Jibjantu”
Playwright : Sri Bratya Basu
Director: Dani Karmakar