“If you have a third eye, then you can act” – says Chittaranjan Tripathy Director, National School of Drama. An accomplished artist himself, his plays include the likes of Taj Mahal Ka Tender, Capitol Express, and he has acted in Hindi films like Delhi 6, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, got an award for best supporting actor award for his role in the Hindi short film ‘Biscut’ at Chile international film festival and showcased his talent in web series likes “Sacred Games”, “Rasbhari”, “Raktanchal”, “Farzi”.
Namrata Kohli in conversation with Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy Director, National School of Drama
When it comes to theatre, can everyone perform? Like Shiamak Davar says – “Have Feet. Can dance.” Do think everybody has that innate ability to act?
If you have a third eye, then you can act. One has to be deep and perceptive. So, it is not only about dancing or emoting. It is about deep diving into your own emotions plus involves reading, research, observation of society, your own family and seniors.
Why is theatre important for an individual or society?
The “Panchama Veda” (fifth Veda) is considered to be the “Natyashastra,” a text on theatre and performing arts, which is often attributed to sage Bharata, meaning that after the four Vedas, the art of theatre is considered the fifth Veda as it incorporates elements from all four Vedas into its practice. If it was equated with the revered vedas, imagine its impact on the human body, mind and soul.
Five thousand years ago, Natyashastra was written in India which is the first ever treatise on theatre. What our forefathers wrote was a reflection of our society.
Theater often requires specialized training in areas like dance, voice, or movement. What are the important aspects of training?
Theatre needs to have some training in movement, as opposed to dance which is a more structured and codified style of movement. When we say movement, we refer to the body language, gestures, that’s also Angikam Vachikam. Angika means your body, your physical movements. Vachika means singing, Aaharya means costume, makeup while Sattvik means inner emotion. Theatre offers us the highest grade of understanding.
Pls tell us about your course at NSD and career prospects.
Our three-year course is eligible only for graduates. You can become an actor, director, scriptwriter and be involved with theatre groups, OTT platforms or film industry or get into academics and teach in colleges. If you do very well in films then sky is the limit.
How has theatre changed over the years?
Theatre is a representation of its times. A film made in the silent era, like Raja Harishchandra, will be narrated differently today. With the same story, plot and everything else, the approach is different and has to move in step with the times and what this generation wants. Unfortunately, Indian theatre has still not become an industry and we need more resources to fully mount ourselves, like the western plays.
