Jaipur… where all the city is a stage

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">At a time when theatre is all about groups and institutions, S Vasudev brings a strange tradition to the city. One that binds the entire theatre fraternity of Jaipur in a family that loves each other with great passion, and yet is strong enough to give each member his own growing space. <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chandigarh Times </span>meets up with a man who believes in nothing but complete autonomy to the actor, with no pressures from factions of any kind.<br /><br />“I don''t belong to any group, for none exist in Jaipur.No artiste has any commitments, each can work with whomever he or she pleases,� Vasudev grins at the reaction his statement evokes.<br /><br />“For complete autonomy helps them to become actors,� he avers. The incongruity doesn''t stop there. For this independence comes in the midst of a communion so strong, that gives them the strength to be their own masters instead of stifling all creative talent. “One of the vital aspects of theatre in Jaipur is the platform given to new artistes. When one actor comes onto the scene, learns, grows and graduates to greener pastures, another one with calibre has already come to take his place. It''s a cycle that has worked wonderfully well for the augmentation of theatre here,� he reveals.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />A huge big family, thespians in Jaipur believe in looking out for each other. “All of us congregate at Ravindra cafeteria every evening at 7 pm. If someone is not coming, the others are already aware of his whereabouts,� Vasudev laughs. Not just a ritual but a way of life, it is taken for granted that one person''s problem is everyone''s crisis. “We all pitch in to solve it, only then does work resume,� he states.<br /><br />A city that has a rich tradition of folk to offer, Jaipur is lucky to have a media that supports the cause of theatre.<br /><br />“Whenever a play has to be staged, we are given large ads in each paper, free of cost. That helps to bring audiences to theatres, especially in a time when entertainment has come right into one''s home,� Vasudev explains.<br /><br />His own love affair with theatre started in childhood and has just grown over the years. Having worked with directors like Dr M M Bhalla, Hemlata Prabhu and Mohan Maharishi, he naturally turned to direction in 1974.<br /><br />“It is my endeavour to work on new scripts that bring to light the wonderful literature that we just seem to be sitting on,� he affirms. With several appreciated plays like <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Dulari Bai, Bolumpur Ka Khel, Devyani Ka Kehna, Dhai Akshar Prem Ka</span>, and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Khasiram Kotwal,</span> Vasudev brings his <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Ek Aur Yudh </span>to the National Theatre Festival being held in the city.</div> </div>