Theatre fest unites street actors, pros

MUMBAI: In a city that's far from short on causes but arguably short on the time needed to further them, comes an initiative to create an equitable space in the arts for those marginalized in Mumbai's sweaty, urban milieu.
Pundalik Arts Traffic Jam is a one-day festival that attempts to blend theatrical genres by artistes of different backgrounds. To be held at St Andrew's auditorium in Bandra on Friday, the free "jam", will bring together theatre personalities Dolly Thakore and Denzil Smith, and Tapori- street theatre group driven by kids out of a slum in Bandra.The festival will also showcase monologues read by actors Heeba Shah and Freishia Bomenbehram; and a musical by special needs staff at Euroable, a call centre operated only by the differently-abled. "It's our kind of theatre on wheels," says Gangasagar Pandey, a witty Euroable performer.
"We ideate, script and enact our own acts. I want to be an actor," says Tapori's 19-year-old Arif Shaikh, after a rehearsal of 'Bhaago, Mat Duniya Ko Badlo; Bhaago Mat, Duniya Ko Badlo', a piece on gender inequality.
But what about stage fright? "We perform on the streets across Mumbai. I'm used to being glared at. I only worry about forgetting my lines," says Gaikwad's co-actor Priyanka Singh (15), after a performance outside Bandra station on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon.
I n a city that clamours for its share of space, equitable isn't easy. "It's important, though. I find it uncomfortable to be cynical after watching these groups. Also, every artiste looks for an equal opportunity," affirms Zubin Driver, himself a playwright and founder of Pundalik Enterprises, a film and theatre company that will hostthe event. Raju Vanjare of Yuva, an NGO supporting Tapori says, "Theatre keeps them off street crime; they use the streets they've risen from as a medium to express themselves."
Tapori, a street theatre group of slum kids, will be performing at the festival in Bandra on Friday