Theatre Companies in Western India

Theatre Companies in Western India is informative about the dramas and plays. Theatre is a tradition in Maharashtra and the various theatre companies in Maharashtra carried this tradition to the further level of maturity. "Stage is a medium for self expression"-this very truth gains a dimension amidst the art form of Marathi theatre which ideally unifies creativity with innovativeness. The strong tradition of theatre in Maharashtra has been further reshaped by the theatre companies to define the cultural zones in this western state.

Tragic themes gain importance in Marathi theatre and the earlier theatre companies in Maharashtra have ideally experimented with tragic and amorous themes as the storyline. There were many experimental plays, which were written in such a way, that they rationalized the old medieval performance. This led to the formation of one of the most important theatre companies in Maharashtra, the professional Bhave Company. That was just the beginning. Marathi play rose in full swing and within no time, other theatre companies in Maharashtra like the Aryoddharaka Company in Poona, the Maharashtra Company and the Shanunagaravasi Company followed the Bhave Company.

Alfred Theatrical Company, Natyamanwantar Ltd, Parsee Stage Players, National Centre for the Performing, Grant Road Theatre, Rangbhoomi, and Industrial Theatre Company are some of the famous Marathi companies Theatre.

The root of Gujarati theatre is associated with the folk form, Bhavai as in Gujarat, the Bhavai has always been the most important theatrical curio to manifest the unedited realities of life. However the changes from the folk form to the chic form of Gujarati theatre did come gradually. On the mellow Saturday night of the October 29th, back in the year 1853, a play based on the popular and dramatic tale of the Shah Nama was staged at the Grant Road Theatre of Mumbai. That was the beginning of the voyage of the Gujarati theatre. That was indeed the beginning of the concept of theatre companies in Gujarat.

Later, it was the Parsi dramatic companies that laid the foundation of modern Gujarati theatre in the late 1980s. These theatre companies in Gujarat brought western techniques and themes whilst introducing music to renew the whole concept of theatre in Gujarat. The vernacular theatre thus gained a dimension in the hand of these theatre companies in Gujarat. However, it is during the post independence period dramatic activities in Gujarat increased both in terms of quality and quantity. With the coming onto scene of talented playwrights like Dharamvir Bharati, Mohan Rakesh Surendra Verma , Feroz Khan and others Gujarati theatre gained a whole new facet. Theatre companies in Gujarat like the Naath Theatre further elaborated the concept of theatre for the mass whilst entertaining them through the plays of Kamlesh Mota and Babul Bhavsar. Apart from Naath Theatre, another important theatre company in Gujarat is the one, "ideas unlimited". This theatre company has ideally promoted the Gujarati literature and culture to a wider audience.