Anushree Bhattacharya
March 27, remembered as the day of theatre, artists across the globe gather together and celebrate the day every year as World Theatre Day. This day was introduced by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1961, it spread lights on the importance of one of the great art forms the theatre. It reduces cultural barriers, encourages non-verbal communication, and gives life to the stories. Theatre is not only a means of entertainment, it acts as a mirror of society, a platform for expressing your thoughts and ideas in your own creative manner.
A theatre is not just black space framed with grand red curtains on the two sides. It can be created anywhere regardless of place, on a busy street, in a field surrounded by a circle of huge crowd while actors are performing in the middle is also considered as theatre; that is street theatre. Street, auditorium, stage, ground any place can become your theatre. Theatre isn’t confined by location, it thrives wherever there is talent, passion and audience.
Though the term “theatre” may have come later, the essence of performance has existed for centuries. Traditional folk plays play a part in our cultural heritage reciting mythological tales through dance, acting and expressive storytelling. One such unique form is kathputli, the traditional Rajasthani puppet theatre where handcrafted dolls come to life, narrating stories through movement and performance.
Our culture is very rich in crafting different kinds of art and preserving those timeless storytelling in its own unique way.
Theatre: A Reflection of Society
Theatre always shows what the society is thinking about the good, bad or the complex views on others. Plays always show us the different views of society and challenge the societal norms and spark revolution.
Shakespearean Theatre around 16th-17th century: William Shakespeare always brought stories that questioned power, love, ambition, revenge and fight for changes in their ideology.
Indian Classical Theatre: Natyashastra by Bharata Muni, is known as the world’s first book on drama, it also teaches us the different expressions.
Modern Theatre in the 21st century: From plays on feminism to LGBTQ+, theatre never stops challenging the stereotypes and stands for the unheard voices.
If you ever watched a play, remember you’re not just watching the actors perform, you’re witnessing your history, philosophy of society, and emotions come alive through acting.
Why Does Theatre Still Matter in the Age of OTT and AI?
In the age of dominating content by Netflix, Hotstar, YouTube, AI, theatre remains irreplaceable because;
- Live and Raw Emotions– Unlike movies or other contents, theatre contents are live, there are no retakes, no edits, no adjustments; just pure and raw emotions in the real time that connect the audience more with the content.
- Active Connection– In a play, the audience is not just watching; they are involved in the moment. The audience’s energy acts as the powerhouse for the actors that makes every performance unique.
- Diversity of Expression – Theatre embraces various forms of art; dance, music, storytelling, and even silence expresses many things.
- Social Impact – Historical plays always come with great impact on society and also break the stereotypes. Nowadays many theatre productions focus on important issues like mental health, gender equality, climate change, etc to make the audience aware.
No technology can replace the thrill of a live performance where actors can make you laugh, cry, and think in a single breath at the same time.
How Can You Celebrate World Theatre Day?
If you want to celebrate this day then pick a time from your busy schedules and do some activities doesn’t matter whether you are an actor, a theatre enthusiast, or someone who has never seen a play before
Watch a Play: Go to your nearest theatre and watch some play of your choice and appreciate them for their talent and also support the actors performing a street play.
Read a Play: If you don’t have time to go to the theatre then just read some books of plays like Macbeth.
Perform a Monologue: If you want to celebrate it creatively then perform a small act of any popular play with your friends and family.
Join a Theatre Workshop: Official theatre members will provide workshops at different locations.Join them to encourage young actors to show their talent.
Share a Theatre Memory: And if you are a theatre lover then do post about your favorite play or moment on social media, you can also discuss about any play of your choice with your friends.
These will be great activities to celebrate and give tribute to the former and upcoming actors for their hard work and talent.
Conclusion: The Show Must Go On!
Theatre is not just acting, it’s an art that makes words alive. It serves as a bridge between imagination and reality, where concepts become stories, stories are given a voice, and where raw and pure emotions can talk.
Therefore, whether you enjoy theater or just watch it occasionally, take a time today to honor the stage magicians who never stop coming up with new ways to engage and amuse us. Either perform a scene, see a play, or just enjoy the power of storytelling. Your every action means a lot to them and their hardwork and dedication towards us.
Ultimately, as Shakespeare famously stated,
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.”
Happy World Theatre Day!
Follow our WhatsApp channel
