In recent years, NSD under its Extension Programme organized a series of theatre workshops in the North Eastern States. The workshops proceeded on the basis of a 3-step programme - the first was to arouse interest amongst all participants about the intricacies of the theatre experience - performance and transference; the second was to impart training in the area and the third was to help and guide them to prepare productions on the basis of the received training. Once the productions were ready participants were given an opportunity to stage 10 shows each in different areas of the region so as to gain self-confidence and a variety of experience and audience interaction. And finally, the School decided to come up with a platform to showcase these productions, wherein lies the genesis of the Poorvottar Natya Samaroh.
The first Poorvottar Natya Samaroh was organized in Guwahati in 2007 and the second at Gangtok, Sikkim in 2008. The Festival being organized here,
in Agartala, will be the third of its kind and will showcase a total of
10 plays with the aim of giving representation to the creative talent that lies in the region. The plays will deal with a variety of subjects ranging over romance, social issues like caste, gender, exploitation in a feudal society, survival and hope in a conflict-torn social context, philosophical principles and resistance.
This mix of the theatre experience will not only allow for an intermingling of all those involved, but the range of representation and performance will also underline different forms of portrayal, each one as valid as the other. By underlining this unity in the diversity of human life and existence, the Festival hopes to provide a space of meaningful interaction and engagement for all.
click here for schedule
