Theatre shouldn’t be an exclusive experience, it must be accessible to all: Prakash Belawadi

The Chiguru Kannada Theatre Festival, directed by Prakash Belawadi, has kicked off in Bengaluru. The festival, spanning two weekends, is bringing together fresh voices and innovative storytelling. ‘means ‘fresh’ in Kannada which is the essence of this festival,’ said Prakash. In an exclusive chat with Bangalore Times, he shared the inspiration for this fest and the future of theatre, especially in the age of AI. Excerpts:
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For years, Bengaluru has seen an immensely steady decline in local theatre performances. This festival is our response to the changing theatre space in the city. Through Chiguru, we want to explore new ideas, bring fresh perspectives, and support young talents. Theatre shouldn’t be an exclusive experience; it must be accessible to all. If we create more intimate venues, theatre can reach a wider audience.
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We have all seen women play men and vice versa while performing on stage. How often does that happen in cinema or television? Theatre allows this willing suspension of disbelief. Anyone can play any role, any age, any gender, so it is great and unique for many reasons. Theatre, in its very essence, becomes a dialectic of that time. So, it always contains an element of protest, even if it is comedy.

In today’s world, which is dominated by global media, preserving our culture and regional dialects is of utmost importance. Theatre is deeply intertwined with the local cultures and dialects that modern theatres struggle to maintain a cultural identity while embracing contemporary plot devices. Cinema and television weakens the regional dialects to be relatable to the audience, whereas theatre thrives in its dialect and brings local flavour to life. Theatre, at its core, is local and celebrates the cultural diversity of a nation.

Theatre remains a powerful force despite a tremendous shift in technology and entertainment. With the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated performances, one can make entire movies without real people. However, live theatre offers an impeccable experience that no technology can ever replace. Within two to three hours of watching a play, the audience forms a deeply unique connection with every character on the stage. No matter how advanced AI becomes, the raw emotion of humans and their interaction with the audience will forever be irreplaceable. Over time, AI and new technology might displace humans from the core of artistic production. The only way for humans to be the center of artistic production will be the live performance, whether it is music, dance or theatre.