KNMA Theatre Festival to begin on October 14

The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) will hold its inaugural KNMA Theatre Festival from October 14 to October 20 at Sunder Nursery. This new initiative from the museum’s Performing Arts department marks its entry into contemporary theatre, focusing on performances that address societal issues through theatre.

Kiran Nadar, Chairperson and Founder of KNMA, said that the festival is an important step in the museum’s effort to engage with contemporary performing arts.

She said that the festival will highlight India’s cultural narratives while creating a platform for discussions on social issues through theatre. She also mentioned that this is part of KNMA’s plan to develop performing arts spaces in its upcoming museum.

The festival, curated by Bengaluru-based actor, director, and filmmaker Kirtana Kumar, will explore the role of contemporary theatre in addressing issues related to class, religion, location, gender, and sexuality under the theme ‘The Power of Vulnerability’. Over six days, 13 plays will be staged in English, Hindi, and regional languages.

The festival will begin on October 14 with Beesu Kamsale, a traditional folk performance from Karnataka led by Sri M Lingaiah and presented by the Karnataka Janapada Kamsale Kalavidara Sangha. Following this will be The Nights, a puppet theatre production directed by Anurupa Roy, reimagining stories from One Thousand and One Nights in English and Hindi.

The line-up includes Beesu Kamsale and Love and Information on October 16, Portal Waiting and Talki Via Bengaluru on October 17, Project Darling on October 18, and multiple performances on October 19, including Before Your Eyes, Bhaagi Hui Ladkiyan, Enchanted Walk, and Be-Loved: Theatre, Music, Queerness and Ishq ! The final day, October 20, will feature Wepushthesky, Notion(s): In Between You and Me, Enchanted Walk, and Vali Vadha.

In addition to the performances, the festival will include workshops, a lecture demonstration, and a symposium focusing on ‘The Power of Vulnerability’, offering discussions with theatre theorists, students, and practitioners. Speakers at the symposium will include Anuradha Kapur, Vivek Madan, Abhilash Pillai, Amanda Culp, Brahma Prakash, Christoph Scheurle, Markus Kubesch, and Deepan Sivaraman. A workshop by Barbara Lutz and Christoph Scheurle will also be held for theatre-makers and students.

Tickets for the festival are available online, and students can attend for free with pre-registration and a valid student ID.

When: October 14 to 20

Where: Sunder Nursery, New Delhi