Questioning wrongs by directing right

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">A restless determination stirs under the still waters of her visage. A crease here, a crinkle there, and some of the ardour she has translated onto stage, peeks through. But enough to give substance to acclaimed theatre worker Usha Ganguli. She doesn''t let the turbulence of her passion get the better of her, slowly but confidently giving vent to it instead.A woman whose sensibilities are peaked at all times, she gives <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chandigarh Times</span> a glimpse of what lies beneath.<br /><br />A woman to be reckoned with, Usha forces her audiences to question the very nature of the injustices that take place in society everyday. Her Rudali, Vama, Antaryatra, Mukti, Khoj and Kashinama are plays that have shaken the very essence of the citizens'' belief systems. And she doesn''t regret it, social awareness and comment being her ultimate goal.<br /><br />"My greatest achievement by far is the fighter audiences that my plays have created, for they have begun to ask the much needed why," beams the lady. She shares some more of her incisive thoughts.<br /><br />Theatre is flourishing as never before... Lakhs of people are with theatre today.<br /><br />There has to be a reason why the younger generation is still with us. It is their idealism that keeps them with theatre, despite their struggles. But sadly there is no space for it – social, economic and political. For the authorities see theatre as a threat, the only medium that hasn''t compromised with the markets.<br /><br />Social responsibility... Look at all that is going on all around us.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />We have made Dhananjay a hero and chosen to ignore what is happening to the women of Manipur.<br /><br />All this religious frenzy in the country puts me into turmoil, the need to express my feelings taking the shape of my plays. I don''t aim to start a revolution; just getting the audience to question is enough for a start.<br /><br />The struggle for equality... The concept of these ‘women''s theatre festivals'' are a farce, for they patronise all females as the weaker sex. Even though women have come a long way; we live in a world where they are still struggling every moment of every day to create their own space. For it is their sincerity, honesty and commitment to whatever their cause, that scares lesser individuals.<br /><br />The actor versus the director... There is always a fight within myself, the actor vying for space to express against the perfectionist director. But in most cases, it is the director who dominates each struggle, cowing down the actor. Yet, with each rehearsal, I find that they gradually begin to see eye to eye.<br /><br />Films are a road best not travelled... They just aren''t for me. I believe in concentration, and films are a medium that take away from mine.<br /><br />I wish that someday... I am able to truthfully write my experiences. It will prove to be difficult, for the decision to disclose everything will mean stepping on many toes.</div> </div>