Philip Kotler, Jack Welch, Manto, Badal Sircar, Brearly-Myers, Woody Allen—sounds like an oddball combination, doesn’t it? Well no, if you happen to be a part of the colourful world of IIM Kozhikode! Theatrix, the Dramatics club ensures that residents of ‘Kampus’ (as the townspeople like to call themselves) rise above consolidated-balance -sheets, cgpa’s, and the ilk- things that can get on to your nerves in the absence of a proper vent. This vent is what Theatrix provides.
So one finds tomorrow’s corporate honchos transformed into mad men, sad women, love torn couples…undergoing a process of catharsis, for the actors and the audience alike, through which they are assured of a world beyond each day’s case studies, a real world. The Kommunity as a whole waits for a Theatrix production. It is common to see the whole Kampus buzzing after a new poster is put up or an audio trailer played over the popular community radio. There are often teaser campaigns organized where people guess the cast based on the audio trailer or an obscure poster. These campaigns, brainchildren of budding marketing managers can rival a YashRaj Movie promotion in the buzz they generate.
Theatrix presents its flagship productions titled “Rangmanch” every 2 months, plus there are impromptu stand up sessions, street plays held regularly each of which unfailingly registers a ‘houseful’ response! Last season Theatrix productions won top prizes at theatre competitions in IIM-K, IIM-B competing with institutes like IIM-B, IIT-Bombay, Hindu College . The performances often lead to further discussions in true IIM spirit. A nukkad on women empowerment on Independence Day led to heated debates all over the dormitories. Some of the prominent performances include Hazaro-Khwahishe-Kaisi (Nikhil Sachan), The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde), Tohfa (Manto), God (Woody Allen).
It is not only about students either. Professors in the institute turn up regularly and never fail to appreciate or criticize an effort. In the words of Dr A.F.Mathew– “I often wonder how my students perform at such high levels within so little time. Some of these plays are miracles!”
Minute attention is paid to the sets and background production so that the performance appears professional rather than a stage stitched up with desks/benches.
The performers juggle classes, assignments, girlfriends, placement interviews to meet at the famed Arjuna Path at ungodly hours and rehearse, till they become their characters. Many of these performers have stayed true to their creative self even after joining the corporate world. Nikhil Sachan whose book “Namak Swadanusaar” is a current bestseller, was a prolific performer for Theatrix.
K-ites say Theatrix is more than the sum of above parts. It is about fun rehearsals at 4 in the morning, about never arguing with the director, about ROFLing at a forgotten dialogue, at the sheer adrenaline rush as the curtains go up and 700 people clap in unison—Theatrix is a release from a mundane present.
See you at the theatre!