Mumbai: New performing arts scene blooms quietly in Versova

PicsSatej Shinde IllustrationRavi JadhavFor a city like Mumbai where every little gully can be navigated through GPS Aram Nagar brings with it a sense of discovery A swathe of unplotted area on satellite maps that lies just off the bustling Yari Road stretch of Versova it is somewhat tricky to locate on a maiden visit But the neighbourhood which remains one of the last bastions of individual residential structures in Mumbai is beginning to pockmark the calendars of the citys culturally inclined as its quaint bungalows acquire a new identity of intimate performance spacesHarkat StudiosUntil recently Aram Nagar Part 2 was known mainly for struggling actors queuing up outside offices of casting companies It began to reveal itself to artistes in the face of the challenges that the skyhigh real estate prices of the city pose Where else would you get a place like this in Mumbai Its quiet aeroplanes dont fly over here There is no noise of the traffic its just birds We only have memories of structures like these says noted theatre director Sunil Shanbag who rented out one of the bungalows in Aram Nagar Part 2 to start Studio Tamaasha in March 2017 Space is so critical for any theatre company If there is enough space it immediately creates activity he points outLittle RainaSharing its wall with Studio Tamaasha is Harkat Studios the first such space to open in the area in 2016 I have always lived in Versova since I moved to Mumbai and Aram Nagar with its unique setting fascinated me Plus if you were to hire a bungalow in Bandra it would cost a fortune Mumbai has only had proscenium venues and smaller spaces like these are bridging the gap shares cofounder Karan TalwarStudio TamashaThe ample space the height of the bungalows and the clear space where a small audience can be comfortably seated is what called out to actordirector Rohit Tiwari who founded OverAct an alternative theatre space in mid2017 Play Shed by Castiko is the latest entrant to Aram Nagar which opened with an evening of performances featuring monologues poetry recitals and a musical actCastikoThe programming for the venues is a consciously curated one with the space playing a crucial role While Shanbag encourages performers to create a piece keeping the studio in mind standup gigs are not part of the programming at Harkat Its interesting that artistes are taking the initiative of turning curators and organisers rather than corporates and trustees says journalist Suhani Singh whos been a Versova resident for 25 years I watched a screening of Garam Hawa at Harkat followed by a Q amp A session with MS Sathyu and Shama Zaidi I dont think that kind of atmosphere could be replicated in a multiplex she addsBut for all the charm that comes with the place Aram Nagar has its share of challenges Known for its army barracks in the preIndependence era it became a refugee colony of sorts with houses being allocated to families that moved here after Partition Manohar Barolia 81 one of the oldest residents of the area recalls how the colony was a wellserviced one until it fell into disrepair a few decades ago With the owners living on lease in the MHADAowned colony and other legal wrangles concerning ownership and redevelopment the area with its sparse street lights and unmetalled roads bears the look of years of neglect This led residents to move out in search of better facilities while putting their bungalows up for rentThe needs of the residents are facilitating the needs of the artistes Its a very interesting dynamic Singh points out For the theatre community breaking even with the rent and running costs is a struggle in itself But profit is not what they had in mind when they started shaping this cultural oasis The minute we do that the whole equation changes Well have to turn the space into a workshop factory says Shanbag We are all in it for the passion shares Tiwari Who knows one day all these spaces will collaborate for a common festival and Aram Nagar would become the citys next art districtCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates