A tribute to Badal Sircar

KOLKATA: He had shunned conventional theatre and proscenium plays quite early in his illustrious career. Liberating plays from the confines of the auditorium, he had triggered the third theatre movement that revolutionized stagecraft in India. Maverick theatre personality Badal Sircar never went public explaining his stance, which was often severely criticized. In his only recorded interview, a part of a documentary on him, to be released on May 13 - his first death anniversary, Sircar defends and explains his philosophy. It will be followed by a host of other programmes, including performance of his plays and seminars on his theatre philosophy which could be attended by eminent stage actors from around the country.
Directed by Sudeb Sinha, the documentary titled "A Face in the Procession", was shot between 2008 and 2010. The veteran actor had was almost retired then and his movements were severely restricted following a hip fracture. "Yet, he opened up after a point and passionately recounted how he had fallen in love with theatre as a child. It grew stronger after he went to London to study town planning. Sircar would visit the British Museum and read up books on theatre," said Sinha. In the interview, Sircar has also explained his decision to quit the auditorium. "He argues that he never liked the idea of keeping the audience in the dark which conventional theatre does. Also, he had a problem with the stage which, he felt, created a barrier between the audience and the actors. Theatre needed to reach out to the poeple, he says in the interview.

Even though his viewpoint is known, it has rarely come across as strongly as in this interview," said Sinha.
The film, of one hour and 15 minutes, is now in the final stages of editing. "We have shot hours and hours of the interview that actually went on for three years. It's a difficult editing job, but a very welcome challenge as well. There's a lot that students of theatre can learn from this film ," added Sinha. Apart from the documentary, Sircar's plays will be staged for two days beginning May 13. "We are getting in touch with theatre groups from the districts that stage Sircar's plays. A few from Kolkata that enact his plays will also be invitedWe hope to see plays like "Bhoma" and "Michhil" after several years," said Sinha.
Theatre personalities from around the country are expected to attend the meet.