Vijaykumar Naik, 53, son of noted stage artist Vishwanath Naik, has been bestowed the ‘Rangsadhak' award by Astitva Makers Foundation-Solapur, for his vast contribution in the theatre field. Naik has performed in around 1500 plays, out of which 150 are his own production.
Five decades ago, Vishwanath Naik and Surya Wagh, father of Vishnu Wagh, were familiar names in Goa in the field of drama. They moved across Goa and even in Maharashtra to perform the plays. They were the known figures then in both regions.
Whenever Vishwanath Naik started his new production he erected a pandal in court yard of his house at Varkhande Ponda and rehearsals went on till midnight. Surya Wagh also used to join them.
It is interesting that former assembly speaker, writer and stage artist Vishnu Wagh followed the footsteps of his father. Similarly Iin Naik's family too, his four sons and a daughter dedicated themselves to this art form. Late. Somnath Naik, late. Dilip Naik, Ravindra Naik, Sujata Naik and Vijaykumar Naik tried to take the legacy ahead.
Born in 1964, Vijaykumar Naik pursued diploma in theatre arts from Kala Academy. He started his stage career at the age of 7. "My childhood was surrounded with dramas. I was inspired by my father Vishwanath Naik and Surya Wagh who rehearsed till midnight." Vijaykumar Naik said.
Presently Vijaykumar Naik is very much active and has started a new concept of travelling box theatre. He has done around 38 shows in this box theatre, which has a capacity of seventy seats. The travelling box theatre also moved in Maharashtra and performed six shows in Marathi region.
"Box theatre concept came to my mind in Srilanka, when I visited my friend, who is also stage artist and had similar concept," Vijaykumar Naik said.
Similar to arena theatre, the box theatre is rectangle in shape and has centre stage.
As a trainer, Vijaykumar Naik has conducted 150 odd workshops of children , 100 theatre workshop for youths, 16 residential theatre workshop for college students and also for special children.
Naik has presented a paper on ‘The Goan Theatre with Hindu and Christian influence' in 4th Colombo Internation Theatre festival in Srilanka.
He has written 23 one act play, 21 full lengths play, 7 children plays, 4 solo plays and 5 radio plays in Marathi.
Trikon, Shatakon, Mann, Thankyou Ajoba, Mukhavate, Amhi Satavya Majalyavar, Natak...Abhinay...Rangyatra (book on theatre process in Marathi), Krishnachya Gaava Jaave, Rome Jalatana, Nishabd Boltana, Mankavita (collection of Marathi poetry) and Amar Amruta, Naina Ani Manasi are a few of his published works.
He has also received a number of awards along the way like the Pragyokarmi Puraskar 2012-Pune, Yuva Srujan Puraskar 2008-Goverment of Goa, Vasant Soman Puraskar 2006-Mumbai, Rangmel Puraskar 2002-Pune, Jidnyasa Puraskar 2003-Maharashtra, Rangkarmi Puraskar 2016-Mumbai and Rangsanman Puraskar 2016- Kala Academy-Goa .
Naik believes that the purpose of drama is to give a good experience to the audience. "Drama is full of experiences. You give good experiences to the audience, they will definitely watch it without leaving their seats in middle of show," he said.
Commenting on how orchestras had taken over from dramas in past, Naik said this was the caseas drama lacked the strength. "Artists should understand why they perform. We should not see it in the aspect of commercialisation. 75 percent of this field is not commercialised. We perform because we love drama," he said.
The artist concluded by adding, "There needs dedication in any field for continuity".
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