Change for the Better at NCPA Mumbai
By Snigdha Hasan, Editor – On Stage, the NCPA’s arts magazine, NCPA Mumbai
Shortly after the NCPA reopened in February this year with a diverse bouquet of concerts by the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) and performances in Indian classical music, jazz, dance and theatre, the rising severity of the pandemic cast a pall over its venues and the NCPA had to be closed for events once again. However, the closed gates of the organisation are no indicator of the hub of activity that it has been. In addition to moving its operations, and educational and outreach work online, the need to create a digital platform for opening up its fine offerings to regular audiences and those the world over was soon recognised.
“The pandemic may not bring back audiences to our theatres soon, but we needed to find a way to continue bringing our performances to them. The lockdown also further affirmed our belief that many of our shows deserved a wider audience than the capacity of our theatres. We felt that a new path to augment our visibility would be through concentrating on starting a digital division as early as possible which would not only examine the treasures in our archives to present them online, but also organise new recordings of performances by great artistes on the stages of our theatres. This means a comprehensive review of our archive material, and where necessary, to technically upgrade it, add introductions, and as for the new recordings, a professional group well versed with modern techniques is now being put in place. By the time things settle down in a few months, the NCPA hopes to be ready to offer audiences an unparalleled variety of performances in all its genres,” says Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook. He adds, “This is not as simple a shift as one thought. The transition has to be delicately and sensitively handled since it’s a whole new methodology for the NCPA. The gathering of top international experts in this area will aid the process.”
An obvious physical manifestation of development on the digital front has been the construction of an editing studio, a colour-correction studio, a sound mixing room and a master viewing room. This post-production hub with state-of-the-art computers and equipment will be manned by trained editors and colour correctors. It is in the very final stages of being ready despite the challenges of getting builders, designers and equipment on site. Once the lockdown is relaxed, the studios can be commissioned.
The Symphony Orchestra of India performs during a concert recording for the NCPA’s digital platform (Photo Credit: NCPA Mumbai)
The Symphony Orchestra of India performs during a concert recording for the NCPA’s digital platform (Photo Credit: NCPA Mumbai)
Additionally, a reputed international managerial firm has been brought on board to streamline managerial practices at the NCPA that would not only help the organisation function optimally in these challenging times but also in the long run.
Plans are afoot to refurbish the restaurant at the NCPA. Expansion plans for the organisation — which were being worked on before the pandemic struck — have gathered steam.
The heads of genres have been busy drawing up curatorial plans for the coming months. Situation permitting, the Indian Music department plans to organise the annual festival Bandish – A Tribute to Legendary Indian Composers in August. The SOI and Indian Music have already recorded some concerts for the digital platform and aim to resume doing so as soon as government guidelines permit. In fact, recording new performances for the digital platform remains high on the agenda of all genres at the NCPA.
Eminent Kathak artiste Aditi Mangaldas’s performance was broadcast under NCPA@home (Photo Credit: NCPA Mumbai)
Acclaimed blues musician Mud Morganfield’s performance at the NCPA was broadcast under NCPA@home (Photo Credit)
As part of its constant endeavour to strengthen Indian presence in the orchestra, the SOI recently welcomed a new double bass player, two teachers and three apprentice players into the fold. Lessons for students of the SOI Music Academy have continued online throughout the lockdown. The academy is all set to launch Prelude, an introductory music education programme designed for children aged five to seven years. It aims to build strong foundational knowledge of Western classical music through structured lessons. An all-India Western classical music competition will be announced soon.
Starting this June, the Dance department will present a series of thematic online workshops. Monsoon with Meghdoot delves deep into the immortal creation of classical Sanskrit scholar Kalidasa. Select 24 verses from Meghdoot, which convey the essence of the text, have been included in this workshop spread over eight sessions, to be held every Wednesday in July and August.
The Theatre department’s digital production of Sea Wall had its premiere this February. Shot in one take with the camera facing an empty auditorium, the play by eminent playwright Simon Stephens has been designed for digital viewing with more shows planned.
The digital production of Sea Wall was shot in one take with the camera facing an empty auditorium (Photo Credit: NCPA Mumbai)
From the digital to the managerial front to curating live performances for a not-so-distant future, a rejuvenated NCPA is ready to welcome back patrons to its spaces the day it is safe to do so and bring new audiences into its fold, so its offerings are no longer limited to its sea-flanked theatres alone.