When interacting with prominent theatre personality Jyoti Dogra, one would be instantly amazed at the clarity and simplicity with which she conceives and conveys complex ideas. This Bombay-based artiste, who started off as an actor, inspired by the works of late Polish theatre legend Jerzy Marian Grotowski, has reinvented herself as a creator as well. She’s in the city today to perform her highly acclaimed solo Notes on Chai. She speaks to DC about her career, what people can expect in her show, and why she prefers theatre to mainstream cinema.
“Notes on Chai is one of those ideas which grew on me, rather than me looking out for one. In that way, this will always stay close to my heart,” starts Jyoti. Elaborating on this play, she adds, “As I wanted to bring a new perspective, I started to work on sound as I wanted to show the mundane conversations between acquaintances. This is how Notes... happened.”
Talking about her recent works, she says, “I’ve been into theatre for eight-nine years now. So, it’s safe to say that I have a decent amount of experience. Recently, I directed a play called Toye and I’m overwhelmed with the response I got.” Discussing about how she manages the two roles of being an actor and a director, she says, “Grotowski’s works were the inspiration for me taking directing seriously. But to be frank, for the first time when I directed other people, I was terrified! As the days progressed, the experience turned out to be terrific. But, I would say that when I act under my own direction, it is easier.”
Jyoti, who has also featured in a few movies like Hyderabad Blues 2, Satya, Gulaal, One Night With the King and Such a Long Journey, states that theatre would always be her first love — “Theatre is an actor’s medium. Apart from this, it offers more freedom to explore than what mainstream films do.”
When asked her opinion about the current theatre scene in Chennai, she claims that though she hasn’t been following it closely, she has been hearing very good things about it. “I’ve been to Chennai only a very few times, and unfortunately, I’ve not been able to follow it closely, apart from speaking to a handful of theatre personalities here. But, I’m intrigued to know about it,” she signs off.
