Now Reading: Shurpanakhi at Ranga Shankara: Why theatre demands your full presence
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Shurpanakhi at Ranga Shankara: Why theatre demands your full presence
Shurpanakhi at Ranga Shankara: Why theatre demands your full presence
Shurpanakhi, written by Apurva Kasaravalli and directed by Vandana Supriya Kasaravalli, recently played at Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru. The 90-minute performance, which unfolded without intermission, asked the audience to give their complete…
The Story in Brief
Shurpanakhi, written by Apurva Kasaravalli and directed by Vandana Supriya Kasaravalli, recently played at Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru. The 90-minute performance, which unfolded without intermission, asked the audience to give their complete attention. In an age of distraction, theatre offers no pause or fast-forward button.
The experience left many in the audience reluctant to rush away. The essay notes that theatre reveals meaning through pauses, silences, and subtle shifts rather than through loud drama. It reminds people that public spaces depend on mutual consideration and that some experiences are only available when we slow down.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy narrative says theatre is too demanding for modern audiences. But the real problem is that cheap digital entertainment has trained us to expect constant stimulation. Theatre does not need to apologise for being difficult. The test will come when audiences must choose between a live, unrepeatable performance and a curated feed. Is it theatre that asks too much, or is it everything else that asks too little?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
