Enjoying theatre
A reflection on the value of live theatre in an age of digital distraction and fragmented attention. The author argues that theatre's refusal to cater to modern convenience forces the audience to practice presence and deep listening.
Why it matters
It highlights the role of traditional arts in maintaining cognitive focus and human connection in a hyper-digital world.
T he lights dimmed slowly. Conversations softened into whispers and then disappeared altogether. Hundreds of strangers sat in silence as Shurpanakhi, written by Apurva Kasaravalli and directed byVandana Supriya Kasaravalli, began to unfold at Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru. As I settled into my seat, a thought crossed my mind. In a world where everything competes for our attention, what happens when something asks for it completely?
It is a curious dilemma of our times. We complain about distraction and our inability to focus. Yet we willingly participate in systems designed to fragment our attention. There is always a notification to check, a message to respond to, a reel to watch, or a headline to scan. We are connected as never before, yet rarely fully present.
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