Veteran actor and theatre person Naseeruddin Shah said theatre will be relevant forever. Inaugurating the six-day national drama festival, Bahuroopi, here on Tuesday, he said theatre has prevailed despite several threats, and it would continue to do so.
People in places like Mysuru love theatre, promote and foster it, he said. Vanaranga, an amphitheatre on the Kalamandira premises where the inauguration was held, was jam-packed with people of all ages. The fest is based on the theme ‘Jagada Janapada Bahumukhi Shakespeare’ to mark the 450th birth anniversary celebrations of William Shakespeare. Recalling his youth, Mr. Shah said that when he decided to join theatre in his teens, his father asked him whether the profession would provide him food and shelter.
“I could not answer my father’s questions convincingly, but my spirit willed me to take it up, and it has brought me to this stage,” he said.
“My presence here as a theatre personality is evidence that theatre will continue to exist forever and artists can thrive in theatre,” he said.
Mr. Shah said the late B.V. Karanth, renowned film and theatre personality, was his tutor and he was indebted to him.
