The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit is a high honour awarded to individuals for extraordinary service for Norway within the fields of art, science, industry and public service. On April 24, His Majesty, King Harald V of Norway conferred the Order of Merit, Knight of 1st class, on Ila Arun for her outstanding work in promoting Norwegian culture in India. Norway’s Consul General in Mumbai, Ann Ollestad, had the honour, on HM King Harald V’s behalf, of presenting Ila with the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Knight 1st Class, last Friday, says a press release.
Through her highly successful adaptation, directing and performance of plays by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, Ila has strengthened Indo-Norwegian cultural ties, through her Ibsen Festivals in Mumbai.
Lady from the Sea, Ghosts, The Master Builder, A Doll’s House and Peer Gynt are all plays on her list of merit, and next year an adaptation of Hedda Gabler will be added. Not only are her adaptations of high theatrical quality, but through the universal and timeless themes of Ibsen’s work, she challenges societal norms, ignorance and taboos. Ibsen’s plays are just as relevant today as they were when they were written over a 100 years ago. Ila Arun, through the adapted plays, has been instrumental in conveying this to the Indian audience.
“My Ibsen adaptations will forever be infused with the heady beauty of Norway and its mysterious vistas,” says the artist. ST
