About
Atul Kumar is an acclaimed Indian theatre director and actor, and the founder of The Company Theatre in Mumbai. He is celebrated for inventive, physically vivid and often joyous productions, several of which, including the hit Piya Behrupiya, have travelled to major stages around the world.
Atul Kumar founded The Company Theatre in 1993, building it into one of India's most respected independent theatre groups, with a rural rehearsal and residency space in Kamshet. As director and actor he has created internationally acclaimed productions that tour widely, and has become a leading figure in contemporary Indian theatre.
The artistry
Kumar's theatre is marked by physical inventiveness, music, humour and a strong ensemble sensibility, reimagining Shakespeare and world drama through Indian popular and folk idioms. His acclaimed productions, such as Piya Behrupiya (a Twelfth Night adaptation), Hamlet the Clown Prince and Nothing Like Lear, blend rigour with playfulness and wide accessibility.
[Atlas Perspective] Atul Kumar is among the most inventive and internationally visible Indian theatre directors. For festivals and cultural events, he is a strong choice.
Atul Kumar and The Company Theatre have expanded the reach and inventiveness of contemporary Indian theatre, reimagining world classics through Indian idioms and carrying acclaimed productions to global stages.