The Dying Art of Indian Theatre: Inside A Young Troupe’s Struggle for Survival

India has long been a cradle of theatre, with legends like Girish Karnad and Vijaya Mehta shaping the nation’s rich theatrical history. But today, this once-flourishing art form is fading into the shadows, overtaken by the glamour of cinema and the convenience of digital entertainment, with many stopped over their phones instead of gazing out at the theatre stage. Yet, amidst this decline, a group of passionate young individuals are fighting to keep the spirit of theatre alive.

The Birth of Natyaholic Theatre

In 2018, a small group of theatre enthusiasts in Pune, led by Omkar Yadav, formed Natyaholic Theatre. What began as a dream shared by 15 to 20 friends quickly turned into a journey fraught with challenges. “We started Natyaholic fresh out of college, determined to make a mark in Maharashtra’s competitive theatre scene,” Omkar recalls. “But passion alone doesn’t pay the bills, and theatre isn’t a space where success comes easily.”

From the very beginning, Natyaholic’s members knew they were up against a formidable challenge. While cities like Pune are rich in talent, Mumbai’s glamour often overshadows smaller, more earnest efforts. Rutuja, one of the troupe’s key members, reflects on their early performances: “When we staged our father-son themed play in Mumbai’s Parel, it felt like stepping into the lion’s den. The competition between Pune and Mumbai’s theatre scenes is intense, and while we drew some attention, it was hard to sustain momentum in such a glamorous environment.”

Despite their initial success, financial constraints quickly became a harsh reality for the troupe. For a group of 20 performers, every show is an immense logistical and financial challenge. Mrunal, another dedicated member, shares the struggle: “We performed wherever we could find a stage, from local auditoriums to big competitions. But the costs were significant—travel, accommodation, stage setup; it all added up. Every performance is a gamble, and sometimes we don’t even break even.”

By 2023, Natyaholic Theatre was at a crossroads. The troupe realized that the stories they were telling were no longer resonating with audiences. “Our fathers, who had been such a big part of our journey, stopped coming to see us perform. We knew we had to adapt,” says Omkar. The group decided to shift their focus, taking on new themes to better align with modern audience tastes. But they quickly realized that the audience wasn’t just looking for new stories—they were looking for glamour.

“People aren’t coming to the theatre for emotional, raw performances anymore,” laments Rutuja. “They want to see a spectacle, something flashy. We’re fighting to bring back real theatre, where it’s about the acting, the story, and the connection.”

Financial survival: An uphill battle

Despite performing at prestigious events like the Purushottam Karandak competition and even appearing in the Marathi film Tirssat, Natyaholic has struggled to gain widespread recognition. “It’s been five years, and we’re still waiting for that big break,” Mrunal says. “But we refuse to give up. This is our passion, and we’re in it for the long haul.”

With their latest series, The Spirit, Natyaholic Theatre hopes to reignite the flame of live theatre. “Our goal is to remind people what real acting is about. We want audiences to feel something again, to experience the magic of theatre,” Omkar says.

Natyaholic’s journey might be a challenging one, but it is one they have tread with admirable perseverance and passion, even in the face of adversity. While their path may be difficult, their determination to lift theatre’s fading glory to lofty heights remains unwavering.