Get ready for fresh content and intimate theatre performances in 2021

After remaining shut for almost 10 months, Bengaluru's performing spaces are finally ready to entertain audiences. While Ranga Shankara staged its first play - Karimayi - earlier this year and saw its recent play, Ismat Apa Ke Naam being sold out, it may seem like the city is all set to get its groove back as one of the cultural hotspots in the country.
Venues open up for performing arts
Bengaluru-based theatre person, Srinivas Beesetty, who will be staging four plays on January 19 and 20, says that artistes and audiences have waited for a long time for live performances. "While the past few months have been tough, many venues in the city are slowly opening and are organising events or hosting performing artistes. There have been mixed feelings among audiences and artistes alike. Venues are operating at 50 per cent capacity and tickets are not being sold at the usual rate, so it is tough for venues and artistes financially. However, we are just happy to perform and audience members are happy to watch live performances after so many months," says Srinivas.
Intimate performances are here to stay
Shilpi Das Chohan, vocalist and voice coach, who has been conducting small salon concerts in her home, says that intimate performances are here to stay. While the first one in December was a huge success, the next one on January 30, has already got many inquiries. She says, "I wanted to bring the concept of salon concerts to music connoisseurs who were missing live performances. The idea was to have a small audience keeping the pandemic in mind, to enjoy an evening of music. Given the current situation, this model worked out perfectly for us," says Shilpi adding, "It worked out for the artistes and audiences because these performances are perfect for those who do not want to venture out to bigger venues where there is a lot of crowd. And artistes who haven't been able to perform can play live in front of a small audience."
Performances in the new normal may bring in newer audiences
Bharatanatyam dancer Padmini Ravi, who performed live last month, says that though venues have opened up, it will take a while before big events and festivals are held in the city. "Artistes - mostly musicians and dancers - have begun travelling, so that's a good sign. Events are coming up and it is definitely a good break from the online events which became a norm over the past few months. This has also given perspective for artists and venues alike, to see how they can adapt to the new normal. People are eager to watch live performances because they want to feel normal. This may also bring in newer audiences to traditional and classical performing arts and it will be nice to see how they react," she says.
Offline venues will see a lot of new content
Srinivas says that while 2020 was all about online performances, 2021 will see a lot of online content being performed offline. "Artistes adapted and began making content for the online medium. However, with venues opening up now, we will see a lot of new content. While some may already have been performed online, they will be staged offline for the first time," he says.