Experimental theatre - looked upon as a movement in Maharashtra - and experimental theatre groups all over the state were the first casualties of the inflation-hit Marathi theatre industry. With virtually no auditorium or hall for practises and performances, experimental theatre continues to thrive on theatre enthusiasts and their private pool of resources. ``The plan was designed with the chief aim of sustaining the movement,'' Atul Kulkarni of Gandhi Viruddh Gandhi fame told The Indian Express.

The concept of the network was conceived when artists, including Kulkarni, from Natya Aradhana started putting their own production together. The cost analysisof Goshtichya Goshtichi Goshta was precisely what set the ball rolling. ``We realised how expensive putting up one performance was,'' said Kulkarni. The play was then performed in a small hall. ``That way we saved a lot of money and yet performed before a fairly large theatre-loving audience. That is when we realised that if other experimental theatre groups identified such places - in their town or villages - of a capacity of 100 to 125 then theatre groups would not have to be bogged down by the lack of such a basic but expensive requirement as a stage,'' he said.

Natya Aradhana's Rang Vardhan thus requires the experimental theatre group to identify local auditoriums, halls of a smaller capacity than those required for performances of commercial plays. Groups should make available basic production materials like, three to four levels, five to six spots on their own expenses. ``Once this kind of a web is created in the state, experimental plays can not only arrange local performances but can also tour othersuch centres - groups will bear their travel expenses and all other expenses including production and lodging-boarding will be borne by the experimental theatre group that hosts the tour,'' said Kulkarni.

Natya Aradhana has got in touch with 100 other theatre groups across Maharashtra. They were also posted questionnaires regarding locally available theatre infrastructure. Nineteen of them met, along with responses to the questionnaire, in Solapur recently, have agreed on the plan and in fact have also begun working on it.

Natya Aradhana plans to organise a theatre festival of experimental plays produced by member groups in January 2000. New Delhi's National School of Drama (NSD) has also been contacted for the arrangement of theatre workshops in such places as Chalisgaon, Daund Baramati, Badlapur, Nashik, Pune and Kolhapur.

``The annual State Drama Competition, according to me, is losing its quality and Rang vardhan is the parallel platform we are offering all those intersted in keeping Maharashtra'stradition of experimental plays alive,'' said Kulkarni.

Those interested in being part of Rang Vardhan should contact Sameer Bhole at 8, Matrukrupa, Baburao Paralkar Marg, Dadar, Mumbai - 28, Tel 98210 61837. Ad prasad Vanarase at 5, Hill View Society, 464 Erandvane, Paud Road, Pune 411 038. Tel 336491/349572.