Delhi's Akshara Theatre To Present North East Artists
First week of February, 2009

Gopal Sharman *

a k s h a r a
t h e a t r e
Home for the Mind of India
11-12 B, Baba Kharak Singh Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.
Tel: 2- 3742083, 2-3364326.
email: aksharatheatre(at)rediffmail(dot)com

The Akshara National Classical Theatre of India, a home for the mind of India, is one of the most sought after institutions of the performing arts in the country. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, the Akshara was founded in 1972 by famous playwright, author, classical musician and composer Gopal Sharman, of whom Guardian of England once said He would leave any Medici panting well in the rear.. He founded the Akshara with his actress wife, Jalabala Vaidya, who received worldwide acclaim for her stupendous solo performance of Sharman's epic play in English, The Ramayana, which is the first and only Indian production ever to be staged on Broadway.

Describing Jalabala's impassioned solo performance of Gopal's script the Indian Express critic wrote that her enactment has been the experience of a lifetime. Indeed, this is more than just a stage show. It falls into the category of revelatory experiences. Strangely mystically, this Ramayana suddenly brings you to a moment of truth and you are left stunned. No one with any interest in the arts, or even in his or her own salvation can afford to miss the play.

Their daughter, documentary filmmaker Anasuya Vaidya who has been a director as well as moral support for the Akshara from the age of fifteen, is the third pillar in the making of the Akshara Theatre. The family threesome also conduct the Diksha Program that involves training young people and children through weekly and summer workshops in theatre, classical music, classical and modern dance, yoga, filmmaking and art at the Akshara Theatre.

Romancing India's North East

In the beginning of the new year the Akshara Theatre is organizing a three month long North East festival of the Arts- Romancing India's North East- starting from the first week of February, 2009.

Artists from the North East who would like to participate are requested to send their details, preferably including a CD as well as print material, about themselves and the production/ show they would like to present.

The Akshara needs storytellers; singers: traditional, folk and popular; plays by theatre groups; dance performances: traditional, folk and modern; bands, choirs and possibly puppeteers. The Akshara is also interested in authors doing readings from published stories, novels and poetry and artists holding small paintings/ drawing exhibits.

The criterion for participation in the Festival is that the work presented must in its content relate to the North East or any part of it. It can be traditional, historical or contemporary. The aim is to give people of the capital a sense of the feelings and thinking from people of that area of the country. The Akshara is looking forward to an exciting interface, entertaining and lively between people from that beautiful corner of the country and the public of the capital, which incidentally includes more than 2 lakh citizens from the North East.

All submissions should reach latest by January 15, 2009.