As Aarambh Mumbai enters its 15th year, a vibrant and varied festival of plays, workshops, masterclasses and fringe performances has been organised at Prithvi Theatre from March 12-17, titled Rang-Manch ka Rang-Punch. The festival is presented by Zee Theatre and supported by the Raza Foundation. And leading Aarambh are the powerhouse duo, Purva Naresh and Asmit Pathare.
Purva, the playwright behind some of Aarambh's most captivating tales, beams with pride as she declares, "Our mission is simple yet profound: to bring stories not just from the bustling metropolises but also from the very heart and soul of India. We want our audiences to see a reflection of our country, its people, and its myriad experiences on stage. Our characters? Oh, they're as real as it gets - relatable, believable, and utterly lovable. With Aarambh, we're not just staging a production; we're crafting an immersive journey through the essence of our homeland. Our stories are woke, contextual, and relevant with a vibrant streak. We have a knack for presenting plays that delve into uncomfortable topics with a comforting approach, making difficult subjects more approachable."
She adds, "We wanted to dive into celebration mode before hitting the big 15. Our journey has been full of challenges, achievements and excitement, and we're seizing the moment to revel in it. We have managed to gradually steer our audience towards embracing Hindi theatre with fresh, original stories rather than just settling for adaptations."
Along with the pick of the best Aarambh plays, the group also unveils a lineup of masterclasses, on lyric writing by Niranjan Iyengar and lyrist Irshad Kamil, Sanjay Rajoura on stand-up, Yashaswi Mishra on writing engaging screenplays and Kathak by virtuoso Guru Rani Khanum - there's something for everyone! For kids, there is a storytelling workshop by Lovleen Mishra and a poetry masterclass by Naresh Saxena.
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
