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Prithvi Theatre is one ofMumbai's best knowntheatres. It belongs to theKapoor family, one ofthe most influential actor/director families in Bollywood. The theatre is named afterPrithvirajKapoorwho first founded 'Prithvi Theatres', a travelling theatre company in 1944. The companyran for sixteen years.[1] In 1978 Prithvi Theatre opened in Juhu, Mumbai by Prithiviraj's son anddaughter-in-law, actors Shashi Kapoorand Jennifer Kapoor. The Prithvi theatre company was

established in 1993. It is now run by Prithviraj's grandchildren,Kunal Kapoor& Sanjna Kapoor.[2] Today, it has daily theatre shows (closed Mondays), hosts an annual Summertime programmeof workshops and plays for children, and an annual Theatre festival.[3]

HistoryPrithvi Theatres was founded in 1944,[4] byPrithviraj Kapoor, as a travelling troupe with 150members,[5] which staged productions across India. Its maiden performance was Kalidasa'sclassic "Shakuntala". In subsequent years the theatre staged some 2,662 plays such as "Deewar"(Wall), "Pathan" (a community comprising Hindus and Muslims of North India), "Ghaddar"

(Traitor), "Aahuthi" (Offering), "Kalaakar" (Artist), "Paisa" (Money) and "Kisaan" (Farmer).Prithviraj starred as the lead actor in every show.[6][7] His work in the Indian film industryfundedthe activities of the company[8]

Prithviraj Kapoor's youngest son Shashi Kapoor, who had trained as an actor in the PrithviTheatres, married Jennifer Kendal, daughter of Laura and Geoffrey Kendal, and the leadingactress of their theatre company, Shakespearana. Both Shashi and Jennifer shared a deep passionfor theatre, and a great respect forPrithviraj's dream for Indian theatre.

Re-emergence

A play performance at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai

Prithviraj Kapoors dream was to have a permanent place for his theatre company. In 1962 hemanaged to lease a plot of land in Juhu on which to create a theatre space. Unfortunately his ill-health and subsequent death in 1972 delayed his dream turning into reality.[9] The year he diedthe lease on the land expired and was offered on sale to his family. Shashi Kapoor and his wifeJennifer decided to make Prithvirajs dream a reality by buying the land, and setting up the 'ShriPrithviraj Kapoor Memorial Trust & Research Foundation' in his memory with the intention ofbuilding a space to promote Hindi theatreand the performing arts.

Prithvi Theatre was inaugurated on 5 November 1978 in Mumbai. "Udhwastha Dharmashala",written by G P Deshpande, staged by Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Benjamin Gilani was

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Prithvi's first play. This was followed by a play by the Indian People's Theatre Association(IPTA), a political satire, "Bakri", directed by actor-directorM. S. Sathyu.

Theatre in Mumbai at the time was dominated by amateur English theatre of South Mumbai,Gujarati farce and low-key Marathi theatre in Dadar. Hindi theatre was at an all time low withfew venues available. Prithvi Theatre offered Hindi theatre an affordable platform where new

styles and forms could be experimented with, a new exciting venue for the performers, directors,writers of theatre in the city, and creating a new audience for the genre.

Prithvi Theatre Festival 06, commemorating the birth centenary ofPrithviraj Kapoor

The theatre's fifth anniversary in 1983 was celebrated with a festival to showcase the best ofPrithvi, an event considered a success with audience and critics alike. By now the Prithvi Caf,attached to the Theatre had become a well known meeting place for artists and art lovers.[10][11]

Jennifer Kapoor, the driving strength, mentor and inspiration of Prithvi Theatre died on 7September 1984. The theatre was not allowed to close on the day of her death, and the showwent on in true theatre tradition. Jennifer and Shashi's eldest son, Kunal Kapoor, with the help

of Feroz Abbas Khan, took over the running of the theatre, and held a month long Festival inFebruary 1985 showcasing theatre from all over India.[12] Ustad Zakir Hussain, of whom Jenniferwas great fan, performed on her birthday, 28 February during the festival, along with PanditShivkumar Sharma. Ustad Zakir Hussain has continued to perform every year on this date atPrithvi probably the only place where audience members can experience Indian classical musicwithout amplification in the classic style of a baithak - as was traditionally performed.

In the 1990s, Jennifers daughter Sanjna Kapoor started to help her brotherKunal Kapoorin therunning of the theatre and its various activities. Gradually, as she learned and grew withexperience, she added a host of activities and workshops, Prithvi Players and Little PrithviPlayers ( Theatre for Children ). Sanjna has now become the face of Prithvi Theatre.

The Indian government issued a commemorative stamp in 1995 to mark 50 years of 'Prithvi

Theatre'. In 2006, its annual festival celebrated the birth centenary of Prithviraj Kapoor, and wastitled, "Kala Desh ki Sewa mein" (Art in service of the Nation).[8][13]

Prithvi Theatre continues to flourish, providing a home for new talent and source of inspirationto the theatre fraternity and audience with over 400 shows a year, Tuesday through Sunday.

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