Our Theatre Collective presents It Is You, a 75-minute physical theatre piece that strips away language to deliver a universally resonant exploration of identity, climate change, and human connection.
The play, co-created by theatre practitioners Vivek Vijayakumaran and Pangambam Tyson Meitei, premieres on January 31 and February 1 at Ranga Shankara, with support from Nirdiganta through the Prakash Raj Foundation.
The genesis of the play is deeply personal and reflective of contemporary concerns. For Vivek, the work emerged from a need to respond artistically to the escalating religious intolerance he observed around him. “The tipping point came in 2022 when I was in Delhi, a week after a Muslim neighbourhood had been demolished. Sitting in a Gurudwara, I began to see images — a bare human body embodying various religious signifiers before returning to its core humanity,” he recalls. This vision planted the seed for what would eventually become It Is You.
The play eschews spoken language in favour of physical expression, a decision born from a desire to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries. “The moment you use language, you locate yourself in a specific cultural identity. We wanted to avoid that,” says Vivek. Making a compelling non-verbal narrative, however, was no easy feat. Tyson, a veteran of Kalakshetra Manipur, brought his expertise in movement and rhythm to the table. “The challenge was to develop a non-verbal language where the audience wouldn’t question the absence of speech — it had to feel natural,” he explains.
‘It Is You’ stills | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Their collaboration, however, was not without its logistical hurdles. The duo often worked across geographic divides, communicating via calls and emails before coming together in Bengaluru or Manipur for intense workshops. These sessions were as much about exploration as they were about perseverance. “Every meeting brought progress, but it was slow and deliberate,” says Vivek. The team grew organically, with actors from Bengaluru, Kerala, and Hyderabad joining the project at various stages.
Themes of religious identity and climate change are intertwined in It Is You, but Vivek insists the play’s core is human. “What happens when two opposing forces — one bound by systems and the other seeking freedom — confront each other in the presence of a force as powerful as nature? That’s the dramatic core of the piece.”
He credits a workshop by theatre artist Prabhath Bhaskaran for helping him crystallise the narrative. “A tribal song shared during the workshop unlocked the essence of the play for me. It tied together the complexities I had been grappling with.”
The production process has been marked by moments of uncertainty and breakthrough. Early work-in-progress showings drew mixed reactions, with some audiences deeply moved and others offended. Yet, the encouragement from collaborators, including peace-building expert Rukmini Iyer, kept the team going. “She told us the work had significance and value, and that we shouldn’t stop,” says Vivek.
‘It Is You’ stills | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The play’s journey also reflects the realities of creating experimental theatre in India — minimal funding, logistical challenges, and a collective-driven model. “We’ve cooked meals together at the studio, shared living spaces, and funded travel ourselves,” says Vivek. Despite these challenges, the project has been buoyed by the commitment of its artists and the support of organisations like Nirdiganta.
For the premiere at Ranga Shankara, audiences can expect a sensory experience woven from movement, music, and fabric, says Vivek. Tyson adds, “The team had to strike a delicate balance. We’re trying to express through our muscles and distances what we feel and think. It’s about making the intangible tangible.”
It Is You represents not just a bold artistic experiment but also promises a meditation on our times. “It’s a universal human story — timeless and relevant across contexts,” says Vivek.
On January 31 and February 1 at Ranga Shankara. For more information about the play, visit ourtheatrecollective.in/itisyou. Tickets at ₹399 on BookMyShow.
Published - January 30, 2025 09:15 am IST
