Play Review THROWING NORMS
INTO THE BIN: Rajendra Gupta and Neena Gupta in Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak
Dir: Rajendra Gupta
Cast: Neena Gupta, Rajendra Gupta, Amit Behl and others
Actress-producer Neena Gupta returns to the Hindi floorboards with a play that has been done umpteen times by the National School Drama (NSD) repertory. Yet, because of its subject, this costume spectacle of noted playwright Surendra Verma (Marnoprant, Qaid-e-Ayt) still captivates
Those familiar with the subject wouldnt have to think twice why Neena Gupta was spellbound by this play ever since her student days. It is pathbreaking and throws all societal norms into the nearest bin.
Set in the sixth century BC, Surya Ki Antim deals with the custom of niyog which means that if a king is impotent, the queen can spend a night with any man of her choice to bear an offspring the heir to the throne.
In Surya Ki the action unfolds when King Okkak (Rajendra Gupta) has to finally admit that he is impotent. His wife Queen Sheelvati (Neena Gupta) prepares for a night away from the palace. Full of remorse, the king comes to terms with his state, that of his kingdom, as well of his wife.
The Queen, on the other hand, goes through the entire process in a trance-like gaze till she agrees to spend the night with Pratosh (Amit Behl), her former lover. What transpires till dawn is what makes the play compelling viewing. Delicate moments of emotion get trapped in the rigmarole of duties, obligations and expectations.
On the histrionics front, both Rajendra and Neena Gupta go on the emotional roller coaster with elan. The rest of the cast comprising Vishnu Sharma, R S Shelke, Tarun Shukla, Shamim Sheikh and Sunita Chand lend able support. Designer Mala Dey captures the royal setting well with those dhotis, bustiers and adornments.
The only word of caution is the music (no great shakes) and the language. The dialogues are in shuddh Hindi. Some words and lines may be difficult to follow, but they do not mar the flow of the play. In fact one whole star is for the ease with which the cast mouths the high-flowing Hindi.
Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak will be staged at St Andrews auditorium, Bandra, on October 26 at 7.45 pm. Tickets available at the venue and at Rhythm House
