LEST I SHOULD FORGET… HOW SHALL I CREATE!!!
Satyabrata Rout
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| Sri B.V Karanth (1929-2002) |
He was always in search of that sublime
idiom, that elusive metaphor, which captures the intangible reality. He was
blessed by the supreme to create new of his creations. Theatre was his canvas
and music his colours. With his music he
always seemed to be in tune with the cosmic waves. The heart of his creations
used to beat in those primeval vibrations. He was a true follower of
Utsavdharmi. Theatre was a big celebration for him; the celebration of life.
And life in-turn was nothing but one unending festival. There was a reflection
of this philosophy in all his productions. He was none other than Sri B.V
Karanth; the grand master of Indian theatre.
Karanth was never known to be associated
with any organisation or repertory for long. Though he pioneered many new
organisations, he left them right at the peak of their maturity. In his own words;
“I can’t stick to a particular kind of life for a long time. I get bored
after a certain point. My throat chokes and I long for fresh air. I can’t
create any thing if I wouldn’t travel. I want to see the world; people, life,
landscapes, mountains, temples, Mosques, Gurudwara, Church, tribes, rituals and
everything that a man can see in his whole life. I want to do mistakes and
rectify it by my own experiences. I want to learn anything and everything that
I could do”.
Thus he became a traveller. He didn’t
follow any particular style or form. Nothing was his and everything was his.
Where ever he went he adapted the native art forms and converted them into his own
creation. That became the style of Karanth. He never followed the grammar
rather created his own. His eyes, ears, heart, mind and soul were transformed
into a big truth of Theatre: The Holy Theatre.
Karanth had a tendency to forget, which we
found rather adorable. It was one of his defining personality traits. Many a time, he forgot his own compositions
which he had created just a few hours ago and if nobody noticed or recalled the
original score, he conjured up something entirely new out of thin air. This
way, he would end up creating multiple compositions for a single sequence. At
times he would not even recognise his own beautiful creations, firmly refusing
any credit or accolade for them. This used to confound us. But for him it was something obvious;
“List I should forget… how I shall create?”
This nomadic yogi unconsciously practiced
the spiritual precepts of the Immortal Gita- Do your Karma, but never gets
attached to it. For him, creation was renunciation. Karanth not only gave life,
but also freedom to his creations- freedom even from himself! There were no
repetitions, no turning back, his persona always exuding a sense of
satisfaction and uneasiness; satisfaction for his achievements and restlessness
for his upcoming new creation.
His harsh external appearance and demeanour
was an antithesis to his sensitive heart that always pulsated for Indian
Theatre. All his words, thoughts and actions were a constant tribute to
Theatre. He was the most selfless man who loved to give and share his experiences,
thoughts and knowledge. He was the one
to teach us to live united in life and in theatre.
“Rang-karma is a medium to bind people
heart to heart. It never takes away anything from us rather pays back love. We
must work in the medium by our own choice and not by imposition. We are
together because of the medium. The medium is important than all of us. We must
shed our petty egocentric motivations for the well being of Theatre.”
Our Indian tradition recognises two kinds
of teachers- Acharyas and Gurus. Acharya informs and educates, while a Guru
inspires and illuminates. He takes you home to yourself. He is the one, who opens one’s eyes, dispels
all traces of darkness with the light of knowledge. He infuses his pupil with
positive energy and inspires to follow the right path; our own path.
Karanth was a Guru in true sense. He shaped my thoughts, ideas, personality and
my perception towards this wonderful world of creation. Whoever has crossed him
On the Crossroads of Theatre would have been inspired by his philosophy; The
Theatre of Celebration; the celebration of life.
Dr. Satyabrata Rout
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(An Excerpt from the book "On the
Crossroads of Theatre"
A Vijaya Book, New Delhi Publication-2012)
