Jahanvee Kala Vrund: Reviving the lost art form of theatre

How many of you have watched a live theatre drama? I guess, not many! The reason could be our only exposure to movies and web-series over all these years. But do you know that the present cinema is a product of an ancient art form which is THEATRE DRAMA. It’s a creative and impactful medium of entertainment and education. People consider it a dying art form but honestly, its legacy is never going to die.

Here is a story of Jahanvee Kala Vrund, a Vadodara based theatre organization that is working everyday to keep 2,500 years old art form alive between us and for our upcoming generations.

Kalapi Dholakia – Backbone of Jahanvee Kala Vrund

You wouldn’t be surprised if I say that the Founder of Jahanvee Kala Vrund is an engineer! Mr. Kalapi Dholakia is an actor, writer, drama director and an art of living teacher. He has worked in around 50 dramas, acted in 5-6 Gujarati films such as Babubhai Sentimental, Gujarat no Nath as well as 4-5 Gujarati serials. His journey as an artist started in his early school days. He was an enthusiastic child who used to take part in all cultural activities, be it singing, storytelling or acting. He won many prizes for acting during those times. After 12th he did diploma in engineering and it was during his days in IPCL when he saw a ray of sunshine to go back to his passion, ‘Acting’. He took admission in Drama at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and achieved Gold Medal in 1992. He is a man full of positivity and believes himself to be the happiest human on the planet.

Birth of Jahanvee Kala Vrund

It was during Kalapi’s hostel days in IPCL while he was pursuing a degree in drama where he saw children not enjoying their childhood, not getting indulge in creativity. So he thought of associating children with theatre. He believed in serving society through this and started going from class to class, encouraging children to join his workshops. It was a pure effort to make the spirits of children high, to develop their personality and make them confident enough to act on stage.

Jahanvee Kala Vrund – Brings out an actor within you

Many famous names such as Tirth Sharma (Chintan in Secret Superstars), Mitra Gadhvi (our favourite Loy from Chello Divas) and standup comedian Om Bhatt were part of Jahanvee Kala Vrund. None other than Nawazuddin Siddique has performed in drama during his theatre days under the direction of Mr. Kalapi. Currently they are training Ms. Aayushi Dholakia (Miss teen international 2019).

Kalapi Dholakia established Jahanvee Kala Vrund in 1991; named in memory of his mother Jahanvee Dholakia. It has trained more than 4000 children in acting since 30 years as a part of children theatre. Anybody above 7 years of age can join here. They not only prepare you to become an actor but also help you introspect, and develop your personality with support of various activities.

They run workshop in three categories,

~ Basic – for beginners

~ 2 months workshop on Drama

~ Advance – for established actors

When asked about economical challenges Mr. Dholakia said, ‘‘Do art for heart, Not for Stomach’’. He added that over all these years he had not made any profit or economical gain from his organization, whatever fees he takes and tickets he sells, all gets utilized to book theatres and in organizing shows. But this doesn’t stop him and he still continues to keep motivating people with his work.

Achievements follows Good Work

Mr. Dholakia has written around 14 plays for children and 3 for elders as a part of his organization. Few of them are,

~ ‘Dham Dhol Mahi pol’

~ ‘Chini Mini Chini Mini Dhoom Dhadaka’

~ ‘Dhatudi Patudi’

~ ‘Sachu sukh sathe rehvama’

~ ‘Chokra puche bachpan kya che’

One of his famous plays ‘Panjre Puraya papa-mummy’ was selected in the top 10 dramas out of 125 regional languages plays at National School of Drama(NSD) in 2009 for Children festival ‘Jashne Bachpan.’

Combination of theatre and Art of Living

“Theatre teaches one to live life. It is acting in personality development”, says Mr. Kalapi. He is a keen follower of the art of living and thus has inculcated the values of the same into his teaching methods. He believes that theatre gives vision and the art of living teaches one to see the world with neutrality.

A message to everyone from Kalapi Dholakia

Mr. Dholakia says,” Everyone should get associated with at least one of the art forms, be it acting, dancing, singing, photography, painting etc, it will not let your life get boring”.