Natyavalay
Museum Design | Project Duration: 8 weeks | Classroom project
Natyavalay - VISION
This place will be every actor's, director's dream. It should have everything they might need while practising for a play and then finally while performing it. It would eventually have state of the art facilities for activities like script writing, lighting, music, set design, backstage management, costume design, etc.
Mission Statement
Would be an institution dedicated to celebrating, supporting and further establishing the identity of Marathi Theatre. The institution aims to break the wall between the audience, theatre aspirants and enthusiasts as well as practitioners established in the field.
A canteen traditionally has been central to most of the creative dialogue that takes place within the active theatre community, so a unique part of the institute would be a canteen that would be an artefact in itself.
The forward march of the Marathi Theatre has been ever progressive since its start in1843. Marathi Theatre has etched a golden chapter in the history of Indian Theatre. It is difficult to narrate its past in a few words. Hence, the Museum to celebrate the spirit of Marathi Theatre Industry.
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Museum was based on the above narrative after thorough research and analysis.
The museum site plan was derived by fine tuning the narrative.
The museum site complete with a library, theater, and a canteen!
This space is available to groups to have impromptu performances, meetings, etc.
•Each decade section has information and exhibits related to plays that started in the decade. The gallery is 30m x 30m. •The decade is divided into three parts, the on stage, the backstage and the off stage area.
Before entering a gallery, hand painted boards of the plays in the coming gallery are displayed in the corridor. These boards have information like the name of the play, production house, writer, director, actor, actress, light designer, etc.
At the entrance, thick curtains are used as in auditoriums. Exhibits seen through the gaps create curiosity among the audience.
At first, all exhibits are dimly lit. As the group moves from one exhibit to another the exhibit/sets light up as they were during performances and audio inputs of dialogues, songs, etc. start. The revolving stage was used for the first time in this decade. It was used by two plays so the stage is divided into 2 parts. The stage also revolves and shows the mechanism that was used. Depending on the play and its contents, significant characteristics are displayed.
Each play is spoken about with the use of sets, lighting, recorded voice overs or at times performances. Costumes and make up are exhibited using mannequins. Theater curtains divide each play display.
•The backstage parts of the gallery have a mirror with make up accessories on the counter that were used in the decade. •The counter top gives information about make up artists and costume designers. •Some mannequins are placed in front of the mirror in such a way that the audience look in the mirror to see the costume, jewelry, etc. •This makes the audience a part of the exhibit.
