PRAYAS THEATRE CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF SOUTH ASIAN STORYTELLING

Prayas Theatre is turning 20! For two decades, the company has lit up Tāmaki Makaurau stages with powerful South Asian storytelling and unforgettable performances. To celebrate this major milestone, Prayas presents Pitārā – a series of bite sized scenes pulled from six standout plays within the vibrant treasure trove of their rich body of work. Join Prayas in marking this special occasion, from 5 – 7 November at TAPAC.

In olden rural India, travelling thespians known as naatakars would journey from village to village, performing stories and spreading joy. They carried their costumes and props in wooden chests. Imagine the colours and stories spilling from such a trunk – this is the spirit of a Pitārā.

A Pitārā is also an old attic trunk filled with mismatched but meaningful keepsakes. Opening it transports you to long-forgotten memories. Prayas’ anniversary season channels this sense of discovery. The company invites Auckland audiences to come and experience the contents of this much loved and cherished Pitārā of memories.

The selected works in Pitārā have been curated from Prayas Theatre’s impressive canon of works from the past 20 years and spans the richness of South Asian writing. The showcase will feature scenes from iconic shows, audience favourites, and the award-winning signature ensemble work the company has become known for. Pitārā blends classics, diaspora perspectives and original New Zealand works which reflect the breadth and depth of Prayas’ repertoire, and offers a hint about the company’s exciting and ambitious future plans.

Excerpts will include the company’s maiden production Charandas Chor – The Honest Thief (2005, 2006, 2014) from playwright Habib Tanvir’s, directed by Margaret Mary, as well as Kingdom of Cards (2011) by literary Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, directed by Amit Ohdedar; Rudali (2012, 2013) by writer and activist Mahashweta Devi, directed by Ahi Karunaharan; Swabhoomi (2017) devised by the Prayas ensemble cast, directed by Sananda Chatterjee; Dara (2018) from Pakistani journalist Shahid Nadeem’s tale of ambition and betrayal, directed by Amit Ohdedar; and Love N’ Stuff (2016) from London-born Bengali writer Tanika Gupta, directed by Sananda Chatterjee. Pitāra includes Art Direction by Ankita Singh and is produced by Rishabh Kapoor.

In a fitting return, this 20th year celebration will be held at TAPAC, one of the first venues to invite the company to present, grow and become the beloved theatre company it is today.

The company, which was founded in 2005, was originally established to produce original Indian theatre in English, for the wider audience of New Zealand, in an attempt to share, integrate with and enhance the cultural mosaic of this land. Over the past 20 years, Prayas has evolved to become the largest South Asian community theatre and cultural group, and a platform for diverse voices, bridging cultures and creating opportunities for both performers and audiences.

With over 30 shows now under their belt, alongside art, craft and script development workshops, community outreach programmes, and work presented with companies such as Auckland Theatre Company and Agaram Productions, Prayas has proudly celebrated South Asian culture with hundreds of performers, and thousands of audiences.

“It signals how South Asian performing arts have found a confident and enduring voice here and how Prayas has built a bridge between cultures – opening doors for New Zealand audiences and long-settled migrants to reconnect with their heritage while embracing fresh local stories. Two decades on, the company is also nurturing the next generation of performers and audiences, ensuring these traditions continue to evolve and thrive.” says Prayas co-founders Amit Ohdedar and Sudeepta Vyas on this landmark anniversary.

Join Prayas as they celebrate theatre, culture, and community.
 
Pitārā – A Box of Memories
5 – 7 November, 7.30PM
TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs
Tickets: $15
Tickets on sale soon via TAPAC