Theatre group Nadigan Daa keeps it real

Every Saturday, a group of theatre artists transform public parks and living rooms into rehearsal spaces, where lines are perfected and performances take shape. At the heart of this group is Simon Roy D.S., a 24-year-old who juggles a full-time job as an investment banker and his passion for acting, mime, screenwriting and direction. He leads Nadigan Daa, a two-year-old theatre group.

With over 20 core members, Nadigan Daa has working professionals and college students. The team stages plays, conducts workshops for theatre and mime enthusiasts, including training students at Stella Maris College. A memorable collaboration with the college was during International Women’s Day 2024, where students of Social Work Department performed a street play for a self-help group.

“I was fascinated by mime from my middle-school days at St. Vincent’s Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Aminjikarai, where we were encouraged a lot. Later, at Loyola College, I served as the cultural secretary of the Commerce Association from 2019 to 2020. During that time, I performed in over 100 theatre productions and helped secure 12 overall championships. After graduation, I wanted to create my own team to support small-time artistes like me, alongside my work as a judge for college events. That is how Nadigan Daa came to life,” explains Simon.

Simon loves to be invited as judge for events as he gets to scout for new talent; some of them eventually join his group.

The plays staged by Nadigan Daa draw much of its inspiration from real life events and social issues, often using them as the foundation for the screenplays.

“One of my works, Kalai, was inspired by the multi-talented Jyothikalai, a differently-abled musician. It was a challenging project because it required extensive research to authentically portray a real-life story. I always strive for this level of authenticity in my work, as many of my stories are based on true events,” says Simon.

Some of his well-known works include ‘Confused Kadhal’ and ‘Payanigalin Kanivana Gavanathirku’, the latter being a recent production. “Payanigalin Kanivana Gavanathirku was based on a personal experience when a friend left his keys in his vehicle. We panicked searching for them, only to find the keys right there in the bike. I wanted to write a story that captured that moment of chaos and realisation,” he says.

Nadigan Daa performs charity shows at day-care centres and old-age homes. “We are not profit-driven,” Simon says. “Most of us have full-time jobs and theatre is a passion for us. Not every member is available every weekend, so we practise with the available people, often using a dummy to fill in for missing actors. Our practice sessions start months before a show. In the days leading up to an event, we also make use of early morning practice slots. We do not have an office or studio, so rehearse in parks like Anna Nagar Tower Park or Bougainvillea Park, or even on our terraces.”

Simon credits fellow theatre artist Maya Krishnan for guiding him in shaping his work. “I have always been fascinated by Maya’s performances, especially Kindhan Charithram,” he says.

A particularly memorable moment for Simon came during a recent show, when an artiste from Bangalore, who had missed all the practice sessions, managed to attend the performance despite arriving late and being ill. “It is a team effort where every member’s contribution is crucial. From the draft of the storyline to the final show, it is all about the collective effort to capture the audience’s attention,” Simon recalls.

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring performing artists, Simon says, “Make sure you have financial stability through a paying job and pursue acting alongside it. The team you are part of also plays a major role in your success.”

On December 22, Nadigan Daa, in collaboration with the Bhumi Foundation, will stage a play to raise funds for teachers from low-income schools, supporting their mental well-being. The play is being staged at the Foundation’s office in Alwarpet. For details, call 73582 18673