No Parsi New Year celebrations would be complete without a natak. It is one of the traditions we enjoy, along with a spread of scrumptious Parsi delicacies. The hilarious Parsi nataks are mainly the result of the initiative of stalwarts like Pheroze Antia, Dr Ratan Marshall, Dorab Mehta, Adi Marzban, Yazdi Karanjia, etc. Our comedy dramas are one of the main aspects of our Parsipanu.
Every year, on Irani and Parsi New Year, there is a line-up of nataks on offer to which we go to enjoy ourselves, but few spare a thought about what goes into putting up a play. Many aspects are involved — finding a good story, finalizing a suitable cast, writing the screenplay, ensuring that the dialogs are memorized by the actors and rehearsing the play to ensure perfect coordination between the actors.
Each artiste has to put in months of rigorous rehearsals, adjusting the daily schedule of their job, profession or business. Often, they have to sacrifice some personal commitments as well. It is only after going through all this that a play is finally staged. The entire team puts in a lot of time, hard work and sacrifice just to make our new year special.
With the number of Parsi nataks being staged on auspicious occasions gradually rising each year, audiences will get more and more splintered. Besides, many bawas opt to enjoy the new year in other ways. As a result, except for the popular plays, many others see a moderate audience turnout. Considering the total cost of putting up a show, including advertising, promotion, printing of tickets, brochures, hall rent, lighting, sound, remuneration of the artistes, etc, the net returns would be limited.
Despite these hardships, year after year thespians put up entertaining plays. They keep the tradition of Parsi nataks alive. In this age of technology, multiplexes, computers, smartphones, easy access to the latest movies and shows from all over the world, keeping the ancient art form of theater alive is highly commendable. It is a service to the community and we should give them our wholehearted support and cooperation.
Our punchayets and generous, philanthropic bawas should give all possible monetary aid to the small and upcoming Parsi theater groups, to promote and encourage them to improve the quality of the plays so that our tradition of nataks remains alive.
KAIZAD B.IRANI
Poona