Expanding its repertoire of multi-disciplinary artistic expression, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), based in New Delhi, is embarking on a new venture into the performing arts with the launch of its inaugural theatre festival. This significant event is set to take place at the historic Sunder Nursery, nestled in the heart of India’s capital. The festival’s main focus is contemporary theatre’s ability to engage with and reflect upon current societal challenges, such as class, religion, geography, gender, and sexuality.
Kiran Nadar, the visionary behind KNMA, explained the festival’s overarching aim: “We want to make the arts accessible to more people. The theatre festival is a step forward in enriching KNMA’s multi-disciplinary programming. We’re building on existing initiatives like the Legacy Series, Centre Stage Festival, and KNMA in the Park.”
The festival is curated by renowned Bengaluru-based actor, director, and filmmaker, Kirtana Kumar. Her objective for the festival was to not only explore new theatrical material but also stimulate dialogue about the contemporary state of playmaking. “This time around, our focus is on contemporary theatre. I am intrigued by what artists in the subcontinent are expressing in the modern artistic landscape. What forms and languages are they exploring? What topics captivate them? How do they create, and what inspires them?” Kumar explained.
The curatorial vision for this festival revolves around the theme ‘The Power of Vulnerability.’ Kirtana, who had been researching vulnerability in the post-colonial context and in rehearsal settings, believed it would be fitting to extend this exploration to the festival itself. She elaborated, “I wanted to celebrate vulnerability as a source of beauty and creativity. We are inviting plays, ideas, and forms that often don’t receive national attention.”
The festival will open with Beesu Kamsale, an acrobatic folk performance intrinsic to the men of the Halu Kuruba community, originating from the Malé Mahadeshwara hills near Mysuru. Following this is The Nights by the Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust, a puppet tribute to disparate interpretations of the Arabian Nights across Syrian, Chinese, and Indian cultures. Another immersive puppet performance, Enchanted Walk, beckons audiences into a wonderland teeming with insects.
. Vali Vadha, adapted from the Ramayana’s Aranyakanda, narrates the tale of forest-dwelling brothers, Vali and Sugreeva.
Love and Information, directed by Mohit Takalkar, emulates the rapid pace at which people consume media today. It addresses themes such as memory erosion, privacy loss, self-alienation, and the decline of authentic emotion. In contrast, Portal Waiting by Abhi Tambe offers an intimate blend of storytelling and live rock music. In Wepushthesky, solo performer Nisha Abdulla strings together music, storytelling, myth, and history to explore relationships and enduring friendships. Meanwhile, Notion(s): In Between You & Me by Savita Rani presents a solo, devised performance exploring themes of personal identity intertwined with region, religion, caste, gender, and race.
Project Darling, a production by Bengaluru-based Dramanon, uses documentary elements combined with diverse theatrical techniques to spotlight female sexuality amidst cultural censorship. The production Before Your Eyes, created by members of Freeda and Maraa, weaves together experiences of caste and sexual violence. Bhaagi Hui Ladkiyan by Aagaaz Repertory gives voice to the daily narratives from Delhi’s Nizamuddin Basti, while Be-Loved offers an exploration of queer love through theatre, music, poetry, and movement.
In curating the festival, Kirtana Kumar also envisions setting a precedent for future platforms. “We need to establish a robust template that’s replicable with different themes and curators. It’s essential to engage the community and connect the dots between the theme, audience, and artistes. The heart of contemporaneity is democratic practice with creative ideas such as co-authorship and valuing lived experiences,” she noted.
Enhancing the performances, the festival will host a series of workshops, lecture demonstrations, and symposia, encouraging discussions between performance theorists, students, and practitioners. Notably, one festival session will focus on transcultural curation.
The KNMA Theatre Festival is scheduled to run from October 14 to 20 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. This new venture aims to offer an enriching array of theatrical experiences, fostering a vibrant dialogue between performers and audiences.
