Mention the term ‘clown’ to most cine fans, and they might suggest Joaquin Phoenix or Heath Ledger walking down an alley with a menacing grin plastered on their painted face. But what about a female clown? Honestly, names don’t rush to the mind. When we broach this topic to theatre practitioner and clown pedagogue Amruta Mapuskar, she tells us, “Historically, women have been conditioned to behave a certain way and look presentable all the time. If you notice funny female characters in cinema, you can clearly see the typecasting that goes there. There is a certain societal conditioning attached here, which prevents people from being goofy and funny. Clowning quite beautifully helps you break that mould.”

With this thought in mind and a strong love for the sheer eccentricity and humanness of the craft, Mapuskar is back with Clownspiracy — a five-day workshop that will take participants through an experiential study of the art form. “At the core of it, clowning is all about having the ability to laugh at oneself and own up to one’s flaws. Because once you start laughing at your stupidity, it makes it easier to be comfortable with others’ mistakes. It is also about being playful and present in the moment — breaking the fourth wall to make that connection with people. To put it poetically, it softens your heart,” she shares.