# In the Company of Theatre

## Overview
This chapter introduces students to the fascinating world of **Company Theatres**—professional troupes that lived, traveled, and performed together. It covers their rich history in India, the rise of legendary theatre companies such as **Parsi Natak Mandali**, **Surabhi Theatre**, and **Gubbi Company**, their unique styles and contributions, and reasons behind their decline in modern times.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. What is Company Theatre?
- A **Company Theatre** is a large group of professional artists who perform theatre for a living.
- Members lived, worked, and traveled together performing shows.
- These troupes included:
- Actors, dancers, singers, writers
- Make-up artists, costume designers, light and set technicians
- Cooks, accountants, and even children—often entire families.
- Started as early as the 1700s in places like **Kolkata**.

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### 2. Early Company Theatres: Parsi Natak Mandali
- **Parsi theatre companies** emerged in Bombay (Mumbai) in the **1850s–1930s**.
- First group: **Parsi Natak Mandali**.
- First play: *Roostum Zabooli and Sohrab* (1853).
- Followed by: *King Afrasiab*, *Rustom Pehlvan*, *Padsah Faredun*.
- By 1860, over 20 Parsi theatre companies had formed in Mumbai.
- Introduced **proscenium-style productions** which influenced Indian theatre widely.
- Spread to other parts of **Maharashtra**, **Karnataka**, and **Andhra Pradesh**.

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### 3. Surabhi Theatre: Magic on Stage
- Founded: **1885**, Andhra Pradesh.
- Original name: **Sri Venkateshwara Natya Mandali**.
- First play: *Keechaka Vadha*.
- Known for:
- Hindu mythology-based stories.
- Use of **live VFX**, stage magic, and spectacular visuals.
- Still active after **138 years**.
- Popular plays include:
- *Sri Krishna Leelalu* – Young Krishna’s adventures.
- *Jai Pathala Bhiravi* – Folk tale of Thota Ramaudu.
- *Bhakta Prahlada* – Story of the devoted child Prahlada.
- *Maya Bazar*, *Sri Venkateshwara Udhbhavam*, *Balanagamma*.



### 4. Theatre in Karnataka: Rich Legacy

#### A. Karnataka Nataka Mandali
- Started in **1874** at **Gadag, Karnataka**.
- Founder: **Sakkere Balacharya (Shantha Kavi)**.
- Famous plays:
- *Kichaka*
- *Banasura*
- *Vatstrapaharana*

#### B. Halasangi Nataka Mandali
- Origin: **Halasangi, Bijapur district**, Karnataka.
- Notable playwright: **Venkannacharya Agalagatti**.
- Popular plays:
- *Srimati Parinaya*
- *Madalasa Parinaya*
- *Droupadi Vatstrapaharana*
- *Bhoumasura Vadhe*
- **Maharajas of Mysore** were patrons and strong supporters.

#### C. Gubbi Company (Shree Channabasaweshwara Nataka Mandali)
- Most famous company in Karnataka.
- Popular plays:
- *Sadharame*
- *Subhadra*
- *Hemareddy Mallamma*
- Shows were **always houseful**, with people queuing for days for tickets.

**Unique Features of Gubbi Company**:
- First company to **allow women on stage**.
- **Dr Rajkumar**, legendary Kannada actor, began his career here.
- Renowned theatre director **B.V. Karanth** also started here.

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### 5. The Decline of Company Theatres

After India's independence, the company theatre tradition began to fade. Reasons include:

- **Financial mismanagement** in many companies.
- **Competition from the cinema industry** with better technology and wide reach.
- **Loss of family-friendly content** in some shows.
- Rise of **amateur (Havyasi) theatre**, which was more convenient and flexible.

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### 6. The Present: Professional Theatre in India

Though company theatres have declined, **professional theatre** is still thriving in India with:

- **Repertory groups** and **theatre collectives** producing high-quality performances.
- Use of **modern science and technology** to enhance lighting, sound, and stage design.
- Theatre remains a **vibrant and evolving art form** in many cities.

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## New Terms and Their Meanings

| Term | Simple Definition |
|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Company Theatre | A group of theatre artists who live and perform together professionally |
| Troupe | A group of performers who travel and perform together |
| Proscenium | A stage with a framed opening; audience faces one side only |
| VFX | Visual effects created for dramatic impact on stage |
| Patronage | Support (usually financial) given by kings or rich people to promote the arts |
| Repertoire | A collection or set of plays performed by a theatre group |
| Amateur Theatre (Havyasi)| Theatre performed by non-professionals for passion, not profit |
| Decline | A slow loss in popularity or strength |
| Mythology | Traditional stories about gods, heroes, and supernatural beings |
| Houseful | All seats sold out; no more tickets available |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)
1. **What is a Company Theatre?**
→ A group of artists who live and perform together professionally.

2. **Name the first Parsi theatre play.**
→ *Roostum Zabooli and Sohrab*

3. **Who was the founder of Karnataka Nataka Mandali?**
→ Sakkere Balacharya (Shantha Kavi)

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### Medium (2)
4. **Why was Gubbi Company considered unique?**
→ It was the first to allow women on stage and launched careers of famous actors like Dr Rajkumar.

5. **List any two plays performed by Surabhi Theatre.**
→ *Sri Krishna Leelalu*, *Bhakta Prahlada*

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### Difficult (3)
6. **Explain three reasons for the decline of company theatres.**
→ Poor financial management, rise of cinema, and loss of quality content.

7. **What support did Halasangi Nataka Mandali receive?**
→ Patronage from the Maharajas of Mysore.

8. **How did the Parsi theatre style influence Indian theatre?**
→ It introduced proscenium-style productions, inspiring theatre in other regions.

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### Very Difficult (2)
9. **Compare and contrast professional repertory theatre today with traditional company theatre.**
→ Company theatres were family-based and self-sufficient, while repertory theatre is professionally managed with modern tech and flexible formats.

10. **What role did mythology play in the survival of Surabhi Theatre?**
→ Surabhi performed stories from Hindu mythology which remained popular with audiences, helping it survive for 138 years.

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