EXCLUSIVE: Sandip Soparrkar Opens Up About Merging Indian Mythology And Live Theatre; Says, “The Language May Be Ancient, But The Emotions Are Universal”

Sandip Soparrkar has explored storytelling through dance, choreography and stage productions inspired by mythology and culture. In Shiv Shakti: Ek Divya Pranay Katha, he believes the story of Shiva and Shakti can connect with audiences who know the mythology well as well as those discovering it for the first time. Read on to know all he has to say about taking our epics to the audience in the form of song and dance on live theatres.

Sandip Soparrkar: Knowing A Story And Emotionally Experiencing It Are Two Very Different Things”

Taking about merging Indian mythology and live theatres, Sandip Soparrkar says, “The beauty of Indian mythology is that its stories are timeless, but every generation can discover a new meaning within them.” Familiarity with a story, however, does not always mean an emotional connection with it. He shares, “Most Indians have heard stories about Shiva and Parvati, but knowing a story and emotionally experiencing it are two very different things.”

He adds that theatre offers a way to bridge that gap. The dancer says, “Through theatre, we can bring these characters closer to the audience by exploring their emotions, their relationship, their challenges and the choices they make.”

For younger audiences, the production provides an opportunity to engage with mythology through performance. He shares, “For younger audiences, the production offers an opportunity to discover mythology through a medium that is visually engaging, musically rich and emotionally relatable.”

Sandip Soparrkar: On A Digital Screen, You Watch A Performance, But In Theatre, You Become Part Of A Shared Experience

Rather than treating mythology as something distant, Sandip Soparrkar wants audiences to recognise its continuing relevance. He says, “The love between Shiva and Shakti is not simply a divine romance. It represents mutual respect, individuality, acceptance and the understanding that two powerful individuals can complement one another without losing their identities.”

He believes these emotions make the story accessible across generations. He shares, “I believe that when mythology is presented with sincerity, imagination and theatrical energy, it appeals to every generation. The language may be ancient, but the emotions are universal.”

That connection is also why he values live theatre in an age dominated by digital entertainment. He adds, “There is something irreplaceable about live theatre. On a digital screen, you watch a performance, but in a theatre, you become part of a shared experience.”

Sandip: Digital Entertainment Gives Convenience, Live Theatre Gives Presence

Every performance brings a different atmosphere. “The energy of the actors, the music reverberating through the auditorium, the expressions, the movement and the audience’s collective response create an atmosphere that cannot be replicated entirely on a phone or television screen.” Adding that as a performer, he can feel the audience responding in real time, he continues, “Their silence during an emotional moment, their excitement during a powerful sequence and their applause at the end become part of the experience itself.”

For him, the difference comes down to presence. He says, “Digital entertainment gives us convenience, but live theatre gives us presence. It asks us to put everything else aside and be completely present in that moment.”

He hopes the story will stay with audiences beyond the performance. Ssndip says, “And when a story as powerful as that of Shiva and Shakti is performed live, the experience can stay with you long after the curtains have come down,”

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Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.