Europe gave birth to Enlightenment spreading the light of reason and thinking, yet nations in the bosom of the continent have gone through conflict and turmoil; which has marred their health and choked their breath; which can but be experienced slowly and quietly in deafening-everyday-life.
The stories that the community in these countries tell is to defeat these sufferings on stage through ART. This is what IAPAR provides to these communities, a platform to build stories of peace, strength, community engagement all over the world; through proscenium performances, play reading sessions, Interactive Sessions,Children Theatre [ ASSITEJ], workshops and platform performances. The participants of this year are from Albania, Belarus, France, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Japan, Romania, Sweden, UAE and India.
Image Source IAPAR FACEBOOK
The third edition of IAPAR Festival, affiliated to world body ITI, a UNESCO body of arts gave a platform to communities in these nations to deconstruct their national identities, on stage and engage with communities in India and around the world a festival spanning from Nov. 11 to Nov 18. This edition also saw translation in play discussions , a vital process of diplomatic and international affairs collaboration. It took place in some performances like
WHEN I'll BECOME a CLOUD by GOMEL PUPPET THEATRE
from Belarus.
Image Source: IAPAR INSTAGRAM
A quick search on the puppet tradition in Belarus and I realized , puppet theatre is served as tea in restaurants and cafes. Probably, if you are getting married or have a child ceremony, call puppet theatrewallas in Belarus and they would entertain you. The festival also had more workshops than performances this year. Like most invited theatre communities from Europe also did a workshop before their performance day. Quite a wholesome package of learning and practice during the festival which took place at Pune's famed venue JYOTSANA BHOLE SABAGRUHA and NAMDEO AUDITORIUM, Pune University.
Some people who lovingly supported the festival are Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University, Indian Centre of ITI, Maharshtra Cultural Centre, Kalachhaya Culture Centre, Patheya and friends!
THE ACTOR IS THE FOCUS
Undoubtedly, the actor took the center stage; followed by sets, lights,
sound, logistics and the audience! The Festival opened with a
masterclass from former director of THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA by Dr. Ram Gopal Bajaj. The festival is also recognized by the UNESCO-UNITWIN network for Higher Education in performing Arts.
HANUMAN KI RAMAYAN
Image Source: Devdutt.com
Gilli Repertory from Mumbai who have been adapting many works of Indian Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik bring performed this piece for children. The story goes like this. All of us have read Valmiki's Ramayana but how many of us have read Hanuman's version of the Ramayana ?
Infact, there is also a Ravan's version of the Ramayana where he is the
protagonist and hero. But, for IAPAR's sake lets stick to Hanuman's
version of the Indian epic. So Valmiki has competiton. And sage Narad tells him that there is a better Ramayana. This devastates Valmiki!
THE BALANCING ACT
This simple clowning piece, an IAPAR original has been touring Pune
and other parts of the country with it's gibberish humor and what
bemoans the mind of kids who see violence and abuse around them from
day-to-day. A simple piece with little props this always connects with the
audience!
The festival is slowly building a strong theatre practicing sense in the local setting!
