Bansi Kaul: A theatre director with a unique approach

Bansi Kaul. PHOTO: STAR

Bansi Kaul's indepth research into sociology and performing art forms has been the impetus for a unique direction style, incorporating elements such as narratives, indigenous performing art forms, rural games, modern dance and others. As Kaul said, "My approach to direction has changed over time. Initially I used the folk theatre forms; nowadays, I like to incorporate the energy of folk forms in terms of blockings, colours, images, compositions, music, design and other elements in theatre.

"I like to raise my voice against the disorders of the society through love and entertainment, as, to me, these are the last weapons of protest. And I call it 'theatre of clown', which aims to glorify love. I like to analyse the critical world from a clown's point of view. I analyse a certain situation to open the eyes of the audience and enable them to react in their own ways to the particular situation. Nobody will be interested if scenes from daily life are presented in theatre. However, if unseen or unknown elements are portrayed, the audience's perspective will be widened."

He further added that music is a component of his direction. Nowadays, he likes to direct plays based on the stories from mythology, folktales, fables and others.

What is the motivation behind using indigenous performing art forms in theatre? Kaul said, "India is a vast country, with diverse cultures and landscapes. I traveled different corners of the country and the diversity as well as power of these performing art forms motivated me to present these forms aesthetically in my compositions. It happens when one comes from certain values and traditions and when one opts to experiment to create new things at the larger level, that is the motivation. And the forms I have selected for my directorial compositions, such as rural sports, street acrobatics and others, were not considered as performing art forms a few years back. My intention is to incorporate these colourful events in the theatre."

Interestingly in Kaul's compositions, while different actions occur in a single scene, they are interwoven. however, each are interweaving.

What's the reason? Kaul said, "Watching the festive mood of the fairs in the rural areas, I have decided to capture the festivity and rhythm of life on stage."

Bansi Kaul praises the endeavour of the younger generation in theatre. He said, "In comparison with our days, the younger generation faces far more difficult problems. Overcoming hurdles such media aggression, rising living costs and socio-political turmoil, they are doing outstanding theatre."

Plays directed by Kaul have been staged in different countries. He has also presented research papers seminars in Asian and European countries. Moreover, he has won awards from Central Government as well as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh State Governments in India.