# Life is the greatest role we play | Chittaranjan Tripathy | TEDxDepartment Of Commerce

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHodVK4mU9E
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/PHodVK4mU9E
Generated: 2026-03-05T19:02:38.19+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Chittaranjan Tripathy concludes that theatre is a powerful medium for developing empathy and understanding society's complexities, transforming individuals into better humans, not just actors, referencing the ancient Indian text Natyashastra as the first treatise on theatre.

**Key Points:**
- Tripathy, a theatre practitioner from Odisha, began his journey after graduating from the National School of Drama in 1993.
- He directed the play "Taj Mahal Ka Tender," which ran for 28 years and holds the record for the longest-running show by the National School of Drama Repertory Company.
- After experiencing financial failure with flop films, he moved to Mumbai in the early 2000s to earn money and pay back debt.
- Tripathy emphasizes that theatre's greatness lies in its ability to foster empathy and understanding of society, something Western theories often overlook.
- He cites the ancient Indian text Natyashastra, written over 2,500 years ago, as the first treatise on theatre that focused on the audience's perception and emotional development.
- The core message is that theatre helps in understanding society and developing one's personality in a more peaceful and better way, rather than solely focusing on creating actors.

![Screenshot at 00:04: The title slide appears, introducing Chittaranjan Tripathy and the talk's theme: "How Theatre Shapes Better Humans, Not Just Actors."](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/PHodVK4mU9E/00-00-04.jpg)

**Context:** Chittaranjan Tripathy, a theatre practitioner from Odisha, shares his personal journey that led him to appreciate theatre not merely as a profession for actors, but as a vital tool for human development. He recounts his early career, including a financially unsuccessful stint in filmmaking after graduating from the National School of Drama, which forced him to seek commercial work before returning to his passion.

## Detailed Analysis

Chittaranjan Tripathy details his transition from formal education at the National School of Drama (graduating in 1993) to commercial failures in film, which led him to Mumbai to earn money and clear debts. Despite financial struggles, he continued directing plays, notably 'Taj Mahal Ka Tender,' which ran for 28 years, the longest for the NSD Repertory Company. He asserts that theatre's true value lies in its psychological and societal impact, referencing the ancient Indian text Natyashastra, written over 2,500 years ago, as the first treatise on theatre that focused on the audience's development rather than just the craft of acting. Tripathy argues that by engaging in role-playing, theatre cultivates empathy, leading the audience to better understand themselves, their neighbors, and society as a whole, thus fostering better human beings, which he finds superior to the focus of many modern Western theories.

### Introduction and Background

- Began theatre career after graduating from National School of Drama in 1993
- Came from a family of folk singers and theatre practitioners in Odisha
- Experienced financial setbacks after making flop films.

### Career Milestones

- Directed 'Taj Mahal Ka Tender,' which ran for 28 years, the longest-running show by NSD Repertory Company
- Directed around 40 plays and 8-9 series for Doordarshan.

### The Philosophy of Theatre

- Theatre's magic is in its ability to reflect society and develop the audience's psychology
- Cites Natyashastra (2,500 years old) as the first treatise focusing on audience impact, not just performers.

### Conclusion

- Theatre helps people become better, more empathetic humans by encouraging self-analysis and understanding of society, which is more valuable than just creating actors.

![Screenshot at 00:08: The speaker, Chittaranjan Tripathy, stands on the TEDx stage under a spotlight, ready to begin his talk.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/PHodVK4mU9E/00-00-08.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:47: Tripathy gesturing while discussing the vast number of folk singers and theatre practitioners from his home region.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/PHodVK4mU9E/00-00-47.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:37: Tripathy explains that he directed many plays in college, including winning awards, before experiencing struggles in filmmaking.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/PHodVK4mU9E/00-01-37.jpg)
![Screenshot at 03:57: Tripathy shares the personal story of losing all his money after producing flop films, leading to significant debt.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/PHodVK4mU9E/00-03-57.jpg)
![Screenshot at 08:10: Tripathy referencing the ancient text Natyashastra and its focus on the audience rather than just the actors.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/PHodVK4mU9E/00-08-10.jpg)