Play dates go up, thanks to new Mandi House Metro line

Play dates go up, thanks to new Mandi House Metro line

Metro ke side effects - the new connectivity of Mandi House to C-Sec is bringing more people to watch plays

The new Mandi House Metro station has solved a lot of commuting hassles, but it has also had quite a cultural side effect. Ever since the new station, which connects Janpath and Central Secretariat, started operating, the theatre audience that throngs the entertainment hub of the city has been swelling in numbers. Earlier, theatre lovers coming from far off places would have to leave a play in between because autowalas would act pricey late at night, overcharging or flat ly refusing to go to Rajiv Chowk. For people coming from south Delhi - who had to change the Metro twice or even thrice - it was always a bad idea to watch an evening play till the end because the risk of not getting an auto till Rajiv Chowk or missing the last Metro was always there. But with the new Mandi House line, all this is a thing of the past.

Apart from artistes, who are happy that larger audiences are coming to watch plays now, theatre enthusiasts are also excited.

People will watch the whole show now

Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, an alumnus of the National School of Drama and a theatre artiste, says, "This is 100% useful for the audience. During Bharangam (a theatre festival by NSD that happens in the winter), many a time, we have to do double shows because of the excessive entries we get. But in the second show, which starts post 8.30pm, not many audience members would sit to watch the whole show because of the obvious commuting issue. But now, that's not going to happen. In fact, it's not even been a month (since the new connectivity was introduced), and we are noticing a slightly larger audience, which is a good sign."

Rajeev Gaur Singh, actor and director, adds, "Earlier, audiences would move during the in terval. It used to discourage artistes, who would think that their play was not engaging enough. But the actual issue used to be 'ghar kaise jaun'. "Yeh nayi Metro introduce kiye abhi zyada waqt nahi hua hai, lekin pehle se zyada log aate hain, enquiry karte hain plays ke bare mein. I am hopeful that the theatre scene will improve."

It will benefit theatre artistes as well

According to Arvind Gaur, theatre director of Asmita Theatre Group, it's not just the audience who'll benefit. "South Delhi aur Badarpur wale log bhi ab aa sakte hain plays dekhne ke liye, especially the younger generation. Even hamare actors ke liye asaan ho gaya hai, jo ab late tak rehearsal ke liye ruk sakte hain. Jab tak cultural hub ko connectivity nahi milegi tab tak theatre scene ko koi progress nahi milega. Pehle humko kahin bhi jana hota tha performance ke liye, toh lamba chakkar pad jaata tha, ab waisa nahi hai," he tells us.

The metro is bringing people close to theatre

Manoj Tyagi, secretary, Fourth Wall Arts & Entertainment Society (a theatre group), tells us, "Gine chune auditorium hain Dilli mein, aur zyadatar toh Mandi House mein hi hain. Ab theatre toh logon ke ghar pahunch nahi sakta, lekin yeh Metro line logon ko theatre tak pahuncha rahi hai. Earlier, people would cross Mandi House, but wouldn't even be aware of the auditoriums here. Ab toh ek station ka naam hi hai NSD. It has created curiosity among people. More people are coming not only to watch theatre, but to also see what it is."

No more leaving halfway, or tolerating auto tantrums

Many a theatre watcher has suffered due to the low frequency of autorickshaws at Mandi House and their drivers' mood swings at night.

Tanvi Singh, a theatre regular, says, "I stay in Greater Kailash. It was a big problem to come to Mandi House every time to watch a play. Agar kisi din car nahi hai, toh us din plan drop karna padta tha. Or I would have to plead my friends to pick me up while returning. Changing the Metro twice - first at Rajiv Chowk, then at Central Secretariat - at night, used to be a pain. Now, a direct Metro to Central Secretariat makes everything easy. Only I know how many half-watched plays I have on my list! At least now I don't have to walk out in the middle."

Says Rashmi Chouhan, a college student, "It has always been convenient to take an auto to Rajiv Chowk and then take the Metro. But at night, they act very pricey. Bahut baar toh mujhe koi auto nahi milta tha. Now I don't have to rely on these autos. I can easily take a Metro to C-Sec and from there, go to Badarpur. Even if I'm travelling at night, it's the Metro after all, and it's safe. I don't have to hurry up between plays or think twice before coming here to watch a play."

Source: TOI.