Theatre fest spotlights Vijay Tendulkar in short acts

A new theatre festival in Bengaluru is attempting to bring the works of Vijay Tendulkar to the stage through crisp, 25-minute devised performances led by emerging directors at Vyoma Art and Space. Curated by theatre practitioner Ranji David, the initiative creates a platform for new voices to interpret a literary giant in their own way.

‘The idea is to hold the audience attention without dilution’

The 25-minute format wasn’t just a stylistic choice—it stemmed from observing audience behaviour. “From an audience perspective, I realised we should compress it,” Ranji says. “Make it 25 minutes each.” The aim is to hold attention without diluting depth. Instead of conventional intervals, a narrator bridges the performances. “It’s not really a break—the narrator takes the audience through Tendulkar—his motivations, his writing—and sets the premise for the next play,” he explains.

‘It’s a three-way exchange on stage’

For Ranji, the festival functions as a three-way exchange. “The idea is to introduce the works of Tendulkar to a new set of directors, actors and audiences. The intent is not just to stage plays, but to build familiarity with a playwright whose themes remain relevant even today. We want younger audiences to come and understand him as a writer,” he says.

The play lineup
Director: Anwesha Anand
Play: Kamala
Director: Varun Sarma
Play: A Friends Story
Director: Ashwini Krishana
Play: Silence! The Court is in Session
Director: Samkith
Play: The Cyclist
Director: Luvena Rangel
Play: Vultures

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