Witness this theatre troupe from Palghar's Sonale make their debut in Mumbai this week

Archana Kulkarni (left) with children at the workshop

It is hard not to think of her as Annu ki Mummy from the OTT series Gullak, or the fierce lawyer from Court (2008). However, Filmfare Award-winner Geetanjali Kulkarni's roots run deep in theatre, and the village of Sonale. It was here that Kulkarni, and husband actor Atul Kulkarni teamed up with Nilesh Nimkar's Quality Education Support Trust (QUEST) to host theatre performances under Goshtarang taking them to schools across Maharashtra. Now, her initiative, Tarapa will make its big debut at the Prithvi Theatre stage with the twin performances in Marathi of Jikni and Jobless Job.

Children rehearse a scene from Jikni at the space in Sonale. Pics Courtesy/Geetanjali Kulkarni

The village of Sonale lies in the Wada Taluka in Palghar. The community has adapted to a semi-urban lifestyle. Members often travel out of the village for work in the off-season, and return for the planting in monsoon, limiting performance opportunities. "They do not have a theatre, or a rooted performance culture. The only exceptions were the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, when Warkaris would visit, or weddings when modern iterations of traditional songs would be played along with the tarpa. But no storytelling," Kulkarni reveals.

Geetanjali Kulkarni

This is not always the case. In nearby Jawhar, Kulkarni tells us of the traditions of Buhada and Baat. "When there is a death in the community, people often gather to tell stories of mythology, and the person who passed away," she says.

One solution was to build enthusiasm among children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kulkarni and her sister-in-law Archana set up Tarapa as a workshop space for children, many from the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of the Katkari community.

Ruchika Khot at a session

While the children often struggle in school, theatre can prove an effective teacher, says the actor. "They can be shy, but they love to draw, watch performances, and have a natural rhythm," she says.

Jikni means riddle in the Katkari language, Kulkarni tells us. Conceptualised by Kulkarni, the performance was developed over the span of 1.5 years, theatre maker Ruchika Khot, a former alumna of Goshtarang. "We wanted to create something with a moral theme, but the children were not excited. We just let them tell us about their life in the village," Khot reveals. The answers revealed adventures - from swimming in ponds, fishing, gathering root vegetables, and hiking up hills.

Sagar Bhoir and Shreeram Chaudhuri

While it is their first time on the hallowed Prithvi stage, the children will have the comfort of the familiar faces of Sagar Bhoir and Shreeram Chaudhari. Hailing from the village, Bhoir and Chaudhari took to theatre, and now practise clowning. "These children have a lot of life experience. Why shouldn't we let them tell their own stories?" Kulkarni asks. Why not, indeed.

ON Today, 12 pm and 4 pm (Jikni); 7 pm (Jobless Job)
AT Prithvi Theatre, 20, Juhu Church Road, Juhu.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 300 onwards