Theatre Olympics kicks off in Mumbai

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, along with veteran actor Vikram Gokhle, inaugurated the eighth edition of Theatre Olympics, a fortnight-long international theatre festival, here.

The festival, which began last night, will present 28 performances from a diverse range of theatre forms from all over the world.

The "Lagaan" director said his cinema is an impression of his love for theatre.

"I am first a theatre personality and student, then a film actor and director. I learn a lot from theatre, how this great art helps in utilising a limited space of stage in conveying unlimited messages and emotions. My cinema is actually theatre which is captured through camera," Gowariker said in a statement.

The inaugural play was a Hindi production "Mohe Piya", by Waman Kendre, director of National School of Drama (NSD).

The play is an adaptation of Mahakavi Bhasa's Sanskrit classic "Madhyama Vyayoga" and is based on an episode about one of the Pandavas, Bhima's son Ghatotkacha and his wife Hidimba from Mahabharata.

The Mumbai chapter of the eighth Theatre Olympics is organised by NSD, in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra.

Apart from several plays, the city will host an international seminar on dwindling popularity of theatre to be attended by renowned playwrights and popular theatre actors.

The festival concludes on April 8.