A two day theatrical experienced at Gaiety Theatre from today by Three Arts Club
A group of four people are all set to assassinate an individual of very high reputation and respect, because they are opposed to his ideals of non-violence, peace and brotherhood, which goes on against their beliefs. Before they leave to kill him, one of them develops some moral and ethical doubts about this drastic act to kill such a human being and thus follows a long discussion and mock trial on this individual, who is not present there as an accused. He is being represented by this man who doubts the very act and starts defending the accused. (CLICK TO SEE VIDEOS & PHOTOS)
The mock trial gradually peels off the surface of the would-be assassins and what is revealed are their narrow, weak and fanatic prejudices. As the trial moves on, we are watching a debate about the concepts of the two worlds, one egalitarian, pluralistic, non-violent and inclusive and the other narrow, limited, violent and exclusive.
As defense keeps on arguing about all the merits and qualities of the man they want to kill, a stage arrives when their arguments are losing ground in the trial and finally their fanatic belief wants to hear no arguments and they shoot to kill.
Director MK Raina says, “To mark Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution in shaping the freedom struggle of India, the play looks back at the issues which were the hallmark of India’s struggle for freedom and how those values were contested by certain elements which were opposed to the principles of democratic and secular India’s future. The play deals with the idea of justice and injustice against the background of an imagined court room where the theme of violence is pitted against non-violence, hatred against love, war against peace, compassion against anger, inclusiveness against exclusiveness. All these concepts are being debated and become relevant in the backdrop of recent history of India which led to partition of India and the assassination of Father of the Nation. Further these intolerant values are tearing India in today’s present time also.”
Brief Historical Background
Three Arts Club was founded in Shimla in 1943. Celebrating 80 years, Three Arts Club is back to perform at Gaiety Theatre. They had a drama festival way back in 1963 and then again in 1965 there was a 9-day festival in June 1965.
Founded in 1943, Three Arts Club is one of Delhi’s oldest theatre groups. It works towards the promotion of art and culture through the medium of dance, drama and music. TAC has enthralled and entertained its audiences for many decades. In its first avatar, between 1943 and 1983, several luminaries including former Presidents like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Dr. Zakin Hussain, and former Prime Ministers like Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, and Charan Singh, as well as theatre and film celebrities like Prithviraj Kapoor, Shobhana Samarth, and Sunder graced its performances. The club also has the distinction of being one of the first groups to give a platform to women on the Delhi stage.
Ever since its revival in 2008, TAC organizes a theatre festival every year, and has to its credit production of 28 plays and 3 digital productions: Abbas Ke Do Rang; Aparichit; Bade Aadmi; Baki Ithihaas; Dhong; Ek Tha Budha; Ek Tha Raja; Haar Gaye Bhagwaan; Hatya Ek Aakar Ki; Hiroshima: 6 August 1945 based on Badal Sircar’s Teesveen Shatabdi; Kafan-Kafan Chor; Khali Jaebein Badhte Daam; Mundan; Paanch Lakh; Paisa Bolta Hai; Palne Ka Poot; Park; Parmaatma; Ra(a)nn; Sitara Gir Parega Sab Laal Ho Jayega/1857; Sonata; Surajmukhi Aur Hamlet; The Proposal; The Taming of the Shrew (Albeli Naar); The Turning Point; Uljhan; Under Secretary and Yeh Daag Daag Ujaala. TAC’s plays span a wide range of genres like comedy, drama, fantasy, satire and social awareness. TAC also regularly organizes Acting Workshops, Webinars, Children’s Theatre etc., and is known for giving platform to both amateurs and seasoned artists.
TAC has had the privilege to perform at several prestigious occasions: Kartik Hazarika National Theatre Festival Tezpur, 8th Theatre Olympics, 18th Bharat Rang Mahotsav organized by the National School of Drama, 25th Urdu Drama Festival organized by Urdu Academy, and at the Bhartendu Natya Utsav in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Its plays have received accolades: ‘Hiroshima: 6 August 1945’ directed by M.K. Raina was selected as one of the six best plays by Sahitya Kala Parishad; ‘Baki Itihaas’ was selected as one of the seven best plays by Sahitya Kala Parishad; and ‘Hatya Ek Aakar Ki’ was selected as one of the best seven plays for 2018. TAC has performed across the country: from North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC) in Allahabad to Christ University in Bengaluru to State University of Performing and Visual Arts in Rohtak. In Delhi, TAC’s performances have been staged at Shri Ram Centre, Kamani Auditorium, LTG Auditorium and Stein Auditorium and other places.
Three Arts Club was also involved in a book release of Sangeet Natak Akademi award winner Ramesh Mehta’s Rang Samagrah (Volumes I & II) which were presented to Meira Kumar, Hon’ble Speaker Lok Sabha on July 16, 2013, at the Society of International Law, New Delhi. In addition, Three Arts Club also extends its activities to educational institutes with the aim of promoting histrionic skills among the new generation and has organized Inter School Theatre Competitions to this effect. Children as young as 2 years have participated in these plays. The first of such events was inaugurated by eminent theatre personality, Sanjana Kapoor in September 2011. The other was held in November 2013 and was inaugurated by Satya Narayanan R, Founder Chairman of Career Launcher and Indus World Schools. Both competitions received an overwhelming response from the schools of Delhi and NCR. Dramatized Readings, Inter-School Competitions, Theatre by Children, Acting Workshops and much more is what TAC offers apart from staging their own productions.
