Capturing theatre productions on film

A collection of eclectic images of the stage and behind, shot by noted theatre photographers will be a part of Thespo for the first time


c_sujata@dnaindia.net
Apart from scouring for talent meant for the stage, Thespo, one of India’s youth theatre festivals, is looking to blend this stage craft with other allied arts, including photography.
Something that is hugely popular in the West, Quasar Padamsee of Thespo is looking to strengthen theatre photography as an individual genre altogether by getting together the works of four noted photographers from the city, in a lead-up to the 10th year of the festival.

Quasar says, “We have been constantly trying to branch out of mainstream theatre to include other forms of art also. We have had poster design workshops to create backdrops and posters for our plays. We have also had documentary classes that teach how to make documentary films out of theatre productions. This is our latest attempt
to spread our roots to allied arts.”

Of the four photographers to collaborate for the collection, veteran Rafeeq Ellias’s works comprise of a huge collection from both India and abroad.

Rafeeq has photographed ballet and opera from across the globe. Rafeeq’s works like the film, The Legend of Fat Mama: Stories from Calcutta’s Melting Wok, has won two awards from the President of India.

Talking about Rafeeq’s contribution to the collection, Quasar says, “Rafeeq has taken special interest in Russian ballet forms. He also presents a stunning compilation of images he has shot of international theatre celebrities behind the stage, in candid moments – applying their makeup or putting finishing touches to their clothes.”

Madhusudan Gadakari, who has been associated with stage photography since the 1960’s, has an interesting image of the play Tarantula Tanzi that was staged in 1986.
The 20 images of the play takes you back to the date when eminent stage persons like Ram Khote acted alongside a young Shiamak Davar performing a play on the lines
of physical and acrobatic theatre.

A collection of images by Meenal Agarwal depicts national and international celebs at the Prithvi Theatre, considered the Mecca for theatre for stage lovers across the globe. Infact a few of the images to be shown with this collection have been documented in the coffee-table book titled Theatrewallahs that as released a few years ago.

What is interesting is the presence of these senior veteran artists in the midst of a festival that is dedicated to the youth of the country.

However, Quasar justifies this saying, “Access to this kind of art — theatre photography — is very nascent in our country. In the West, it is an integral part of mainstream theatre. We are trying to encourage young people to experience the eclectic blend of theatre with photography.”

Thespo X presents The Fourth Wall – an Exhibition of Performance Art Photography at Gallery Beyond, Fort is on between December 4 and 10.