Raell Padamsee gears up for the second edition of her Rise Up for Equality fest. This, just after finishing her yearly tribute to her parents Pearl and Alyque Padamsee via her Creative Foundation, The Pearl Padamsee Trophy goes to young talent from varied schools and the Create Trophy for Artistic Excellence goes to talented underpriviledged children highlighting Raell’s commitment to the society which she inherited from her mother Pearl.
The Rise Up for Equality is an attempt to to spark meaningful conversations, inspire change, and make Maharashtra a beacon of safety and empowerment for women and children.
Excerpts from the interview:
Aruna’ s Story is quite an old episode. We have had worser attacks in last one decade. Why this old story?
Aruna’s story, though an older case, remains timeless in its relevance, as the core issue persists. It serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities that continue to occur today. Lushin brings incredible depth to this narrative, masterfully portraying 18 distinct characters, each layered with emotion and meaning. These characters resonate profoundly with the audience, prompting them not only to watch, but also to truly feel and reflect on the issue. Aruna’s story is iconic, and this performance ensures it remains impactful and thought-provoking.
Our Rise Up for Equality initiative has gained significant momentum as we strive to make Mumbai the safest city globally. Giving a huge impetus to this mission, we have initiated a collaborative effort with the Mumbai Police. A key initiative in this endeavour is the amplification of the Mumbai Police’s 103 helpline campaign. The Nirbhaya Squad ensures that if a woman finds herself in a compromising situation, she can dial the 103-helpline number and receive assistance within approximately 10 minutes. Furthermore, we are working to establish sensitization programs in the bastis, focusing on the prevention of violence against women and children. A key aspect of this initiative involves engaging with men from these communities, encouraging them to change their attitudes towards their wives and daughters, and promoting a culture of respect, empathy, and equality.”
How much does a theatre activity help in educating about an issue and how?
Theatre has always had a unique ability to spark awareness and inspire change. When it’s done in the right context and reaches the right audience, it can start conversations that matter and even trigger movements. Beyond just informing, theatre makes people feel – an essential step towards action. We use theatre as a tool to educate and mobilize communities, and it’s incredible to see how much of an impact it can have when emotions and stories come together to make a point. Every year, we stage a series of meaningful and impactful plays addressing important social issues, providing an exhilarating experience for our audiences in Bombay. Moreover, we invite relevant stakeholders from the judiciary, government, police, NGOs, and civil society at large to attend our performances. Through post-show interactive discussions, we ensure that they can be a part of the solution. Hence, theatre is used to drive societal change and find solutions with action-oriented outputs.
Children’s theatre has been struggling across languages in Mumbai for quite some time, doing well only in spurts. Why do you think this is the case?
I firmly believe that the underestimation of theatre stems from its perception as an extracurricular activity rather than a vital life skill. However, theatre offers so much more: it fosters confidence, creativity, effective communication, and spontaneity, while empowering children to overcome their inhibitions. It is a powerful tool for personal and social growth. By integrating theatre into school curriculums as a fundamental aspect of education, we can significantly enhance its value. Theatre’s impact extends far beyond performance; it shapes personalities, broadens perspectives, and enriches lives. This experience encourages them to think creatively, inculcate valuable life skills like teamwork, creativity, empathy, and self-expression, and hone their communication skills. Through our theatre program, we impact over 15,000 children in the city every year, catering to children aged 4 to 15.
Has Children’s theatre in reality moved on from fairy tales to more realistic stories?
Absolutely! Children today are remarkably aware of the world around them, and their stories reflect this awareness. Through our theatre programs in schools, we encourage them to address pressing contemporary issues like pollution, equality, and gender sensitivity through their performances. Inspired by iconic role models like Malala and Greta Thunberg, they’re creating thought-provoking theatre performances that showcase their maturity and thoughtfulness. This shift from traditional fairy tales to more realistic and meaningful stories demonstrate how children’s theatre is evolving to stay relevant and impactful. By integrating theatre into co-curricular activities, we’re not only fostering creativity but also driving attitude change. Whether it’s about promoting environmental awareness, challenging social norms, or celebrating diversity, theatre has the power to inspire positive change. Our goal is to continue creating a platform where children can express themselves, share their perspectives, and inspire others through the transformative power of theatre.
Notably, we’ve had the privilege of directing 750 different and separate plays every year, each one a testament to the enduring impact of theatre on children’s lives, and we’re committed to continuing this vital work
In today’s AI world, what’s the thing one should do to keep traditions and traditional entertainment alive?
AI is a wonderful tool, but it should be used to enhance traditional arts, not replace the human touch that makes them special. You can leverage AI to add elements to storytelling or design, but the heart of traditional entertainment lies in its authenticity and personal connection. It’s a delicate balance – we can embrace technology without losing the essence of what makes our cultural traditions so meaningful and alive.
We successfully employed this approach during the lockdown, where all our theatre courses shifted online. Notably, we achieved over 50,000 hours of online teaching, effectively using technology to enhance the learning experience while preserving the narrative integrity.
If Pearl Padamsee was around today, what’s that one thing she would have hated and why? And what’s that one thing she would have loved about today?
I think she would have been deeply frustrated to see that theatre still isn’t being fully utilized to drive societal change. She always believed in its power to inspire action and create a better world. However, she would have been heartened to see how today’s generation is breaking stereotypes and tackling bold, meaningful topics. She would have been thrilled to witness the diversity in storytelling and the courage in addressing issues that matter.
She would be delighted to know that The Create Foundation established in her memory is doing outstanding work in the NGO space. We empower 750 children from marginalized and challenged backgrounds with essential life skills through the creative arts and drama. By leveraging theatre as a learning tool, so they are able to secure better job opportunities, get a seat at the table and reduce the circle of poverty. This fits in completely with our maxim of equal opportunities for all. Thus, The Create Foundation foundation has positively impacted thousands of children through the medium of theatre.
