The backup plan

Balancing act

While the performing arts scene has grown in the melting pot that Bengaluru is, many who still taking baby steps in their fields and continue to hold a day job dear to them. However, expanding art circles increases competition, and this is where a backup plan comes as a requisite.

Standup comedy is a dynamic field where getting others to laugh at one’s jokes can be as challenging as it gets, says Rupen Paul, a standup artiste and a known face in the comedy circuit. He feels that he is still at a nascent stage to jump into it entirely.

Rupen, a junior support engineer, says that though he has been in the circuit for two-and-a-half years, it takes time to establish oneself. “One wouldn’t be able to make enough money to pay for their bills and I didn’t want to be broke till then. The love for it is what put me out there and I wanted to be able to perform at places I’d like to, without letting the quality drop,” says Rupen.

With many comedy clubs coming up across the country, comedy has become a big business. “But getting noticed with a strategy in place can be challenging. One has to understand that it isn’t a job that one can just rely on until one is well established. Challenges like getting a space to perform a solo or an hour-long act is challenging. It can be very hard to get noticed. Also, the unpredictability in being a stage artiste is greater when compared to doing a desk job,” says Rupen. 

Being lauded and noticed for one’s acting skills in theatre can be a real challenge, says Madhura Vaidya, a software architect. “I’ve been a part of plays like ‘Annavarana’, ‘Feb-29’, ‘Malgudi Days’ and ‘E=MC2’ with WeMove Theatre for a few years now. Not all theatre groups in the city are as encouraging as one would wish. Thus leaving my job isn’t be an option at the moment,” says Madhura.

She adds that there aren’t too many opportunities for newcomers in the industry too. “It takes a lot of time, dedication and patience to get opportunities and earn enough from theatre, like any other artform. While following a passion is important, it also requires a lot of investment from one,” she adds. She adds that the returns are not always guaranteed, which can be exhausting.

More and more artistes are flooding the arts field and Swetha Gowneethala, an IT specialist, says putting oneself on the map is a big task. “I have been performing salsa for the past three years. But when it comes to dancing, the shelf-life of every artiste is short. Since the artform is connected to physical wellbeing, one might not be able to continue performing for long. Every year, one gets older and the form poses a greater risk,” she elaborates.

Having danced at festivals like the ‘India International Dance Congress’, ‘Bailamos Festival’ and ‘Singapore International Latin Festival’, she feels that the dance scene sees younger artistes by the day. “Thus, one is constantly competing against youngsters. Since I started a bit late, I’m often up against many others in the industry who have years of experience,” adds Swetha.

For Edward Rasquinha, the acoustic guitarist of ‘Lagori’, his job as a university recruiter has helped him to popularise the band’s music. “I love my job. Though I have been performing for 12 years and with the band for six years, my day job encourages me to work with music better and market it well. My job makes me interact with youngsters and this has given me better insight into how to reach out to the public,” says Edward.

He adds that since most gigs happen in the evening or during weekends, he wants to keep working. “This would help strike the right balance and not leave me time to just sit around,” he says.