If all goes well, Mumbai University's Academy of Theatre Arts will have its own auditoriums, which will not just be for their own students but also for people from outside who wish to stage experimental plays. This information is shared by Shafaat Khan, well-known playwright and Director of the Academy of Theatre Arts. In an exclusive interview with Mumbai Theatre Guide, Shafaat Khan speaks on the occasion of the ongoing 8th edition of the National Vasant Natya Mahotsav hosted by the Academy of Theatre Arts.
By MTG editorial
Keyur Seta (KS): So far how has your experience been at the Academy of Theatre Arts at Mumbai University?
Shafaat Khan (SK): My experience has been very good. I have completed a year and a half. In my tenure so far, I have done some interesting things. Last year, we organized a 'Maharang Parishad' to celebrate 10 years of the Academy of Theatre Arts. It was a national theatre summit, for which important theatre artists from different parts of the country had assembled together for the first time in Mumbai. It is considered a historical event. We also did the Vasant Natya Mahotsav and have done other things too.
Usually, a University department functions according to the rules of the University, which it should. But our department has very strong support from the University's management, which further enables us to perform well. We organise three productions every year; we invite different senior directors for this purpose. In comparison to other departments of the University, our department is more efficient because we get good support.
KS: What is the emphasis of teaching theatre in your department?
SK: Students from all over India enroll here and from the interiors of Maharashtra. We have had students from the South, from Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and other places. Our focus is teaching 60% practical and 40% theory. Every student brings his or her own thoughts on theatre pertaining to the region he or she belongs to. So, we consciously make sure we don't force our version of theatre on them. We definitely help students widen their thoughts on theatre but we don't believe in alienating them from their roots. If they are cut off from their roots and culture and if we teach them something else, they won't be able to work in accordance to the place they belong to. People won't accept their work. This is our focus.
KS: Who designs the curriculum?
SK: We have a committee that decides the syllabus. It obviously covers basic topics like Indian drama, western drama, history of theatre, technicalities, etc. But there are big and rapid changes in theatre and in the Arts. Hence old syllabi don't work. You have to be ahead with the time and continuously change the syllabus.
KS: The Arts around the world are going through a difficult phase and doing theatre in India has always been a great challenge. In these circumstances, how do you encourage your students?
SK: It is true that the theatre scenario in India is not very good. When we teach theatre to students, we also teach how they can apply their theatre studies in other areas. There are chances that they may work in films and television in the future, although this is not our focus. It is just that in case if they decide to do films or television, they should be prepared for it.
KS: The Academy is celebrating its 8th National Theatre festival. Last year it was on a bigger scale with a full-fledged conference that had theatre stalwarts from around the country. But this time it's a much smaller affair and only plays are going to be staged. Is this because of the funding?
SK: We couldn't organize something as big as Maharang Parishad this year because of budget issues. But we have not cancelled it; we have postponed it. We will try our best to organize it in August or in September this year. I think theatre lovers, people involved in theatre and the government should help in this regard. In such a large scale gathering, people speak and bring out new ideas on theatre and then return to their respective regions, where they try and develop theatre. So, since this is a platform for the enrichment of a theatre person, the government as well as others should help.
KS: There are plays from different places in Hindi English and Marathi this year. Any plays that you particularly recommend since the festival is open to one and all?
SK: From what I have heard, I am personally very curious about KINO KAON. It is an extremely different type of a play by physically challenged people. The director has worked with them and used theatre as a therapy for them. And since he has been doing this in a small village in Assam, I found it very interesting.
KS: Recently, some of the students of your department did a fine job with the production AAZAR KA KHWAB that was directed by Atul Tiwari. Can the University not find ways for the students to do more shows? Wouldn't that be encouraging?
SK: We are trying hard to build our own repertory. Currently, we don't have it due to space problems. But our new building is ready and we will shift there in the next 2-4 months. Over there, we won't face any space issues. In fact, we will have few of our own theatres. So, after shifting to the new place, we will think about the repertory. And if all goes well, this might be the first time that a University in India will have its own repertory. If we succeed with it, it will be possible for us to stage shows of our own productions.
KS: Tell us about a few of your past students? What have they been up to?
SK: A number of our past students are doing well in the performing arts - in plays, films or television. Some of them are Akshar Kothari, Suruchi Verma, Ajay Singh, Advait Dadarkar, Kailash Waghmare, Manasi Naik, Yogini Chouk, Ketaki Palav, Sachin Sharma, Altaf Mulani. There are others too.
KS: If you continue to be at the department for the next five years, what would you like to do if it was possible to have your way?
SK: Firstly, we are waiting to shift to the new place, which will give us more space. And as I said, we then wish to create our own repertory. We will have 150-200 seat theatres where, apart from staging our students' productions, we will also try and stage good plays from outside. Currently, there is a dearth of small theatres in Mumbai. Our University will also help people stage experimental plays.
KS: It's been many years since your significant play SHOBHA YATRA. You have been writing but of late you haven't. We need good playwrights like you.
SK: The Academy of Theatre Arts is the only department in the University where we work 10 to 12 hours a day. It keeps me very busy. We have theory classes, practical workshops, etc. When our production is staged, our students work till late night. Due to all this, I haven't written anything since the last year and a half. I wrote POPATPANKHI, and then DRY DAY. I wrote TIMEPASS for professional Marathi theatre. I also adapted Jaywant Dalvi's novel SARE PRAVASI GHADICHE and wrote the social satire GANDHI ADVA YETO. These works were appreciated.
Keyur Seta (KS): So far how has your experience been at the Academy of Theatre Arts at Mumbai University?
