Rooftop theatre: a curtain-raiser

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">According to Ritwik Simha, there are "10 million terraces in Bangalore" and he wants to turn it all into a stage. "If people are unwilling to step out of their homes to watch a play then I will take the play to their homes," he proclaims. Preposterous? So thought everyone, including Ritwik''s father, C R Simha, renowned theatre person."Why do you want to break away from traditional theatre? Do you really need this," he asked. "Yes," said Ritwick. <br /><br />Vedike Foundation, a 20-year-old Kannada theatre group started weekend theatre in 2002. Insufficient funds reduced it to a fortnight-theatre and later to an on-and-off-theatre. "We couldn''t afford upmarket auditoriums and smaller venues were never available to us on a regular basis. Also, people preferred to watch television rather than wade through horrendous Bangalore traffic to watch a play," says Ritwik, a member of Vedike foundation. Ideally, all these factors should have sounded the death knell and snuffed out the spirit of these theatre professionals. But, it didn''t. Their passion for theatre made them innovate. A new age theatre movement called Rooftop theatre was born. "It was officially launched on January 2004." So far, Ritwik''s rooftop theatre has staged 25 shows.<br /><br />All you need is a terrace (15ft by 20ft minimum) — even a garage will do — a group of friends and a desire to indulge in an enriching evening. The first rooftop play was performed at the legendary M S Puttana''s house. The play was called Nirase.com, written and directed by Ritwik.<br /><br />How different is rooftop theatre from traditional theatre? "Makeup, lights, sets and mikes are an integral part of traditional theatre. In rooftop theatre, we have eliminated all these thus reducing the financial burden. We perform just before sunset and in available light. Our stage is a terrace, which is free of cost. In rooftop theatre there is an intimacy between the actors and the audience. In traditional theatre you cannot see the audience from the stage, whereas here you are looking into their eyes. Rooftop plays are staged in front of an audience where 80 per cent of them are first time theatre-watchers. It also helps in community building. When you stage a play on the terrace of an apartment building, it brings together neighbours and extended neighbours who might be meeting each other for the first time. This sense of togetherness is not present when you are watching television in the confines of your living room," says Ritwik.<br /><br />Rooftop theatre is growing in popularity. People are willing to forego regular parties for an evening of rooftop theatre followed by dinner and fellowship. Ritwik does not charge a fee for staging a play. Nevertheless, there is a hat collection at the end of the play. Why do they pursue this in spite of pitiful remuneration? "We want every Bangalorean to have a taste of theatre. Rooftop theatre is like an introduction to traditional theatre. We are whetting their appetite for more," says Ritwik. "Theatre helps in breaking barriers and foster togetherness." Ritwik''s group consists of Jasleen, his wife and a motley crew of students, IT professionals and professional actors. Their passion only adds to the vibrancy of this city.<br /><br />(Every week, Bangalore Live, brings you people, places and issues that makes this city vibrant and alive.)<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="" font-style:="" italic="">sudhapillai@indiatimes.com</span></div> </div>