Ila Arun in Agni Leekh, at the Prithvi festival
Manoj ShahMerande
Curse you and your father too, ye children damned, sons of a doomed mother! Ruin seizes the whole family!
These are lines from the Greek tragedy Medea, written by Euripides. But Manoj Shahs Merande speaks a different language. Attracted to the powerful central character, who is a woman, Shah says, I am trying out a new form of expression.
The all-important chorus is replaced by a charan who uses pingleshastra as a narrative. This technique is inherited from our ancestors and the charans voice reaches almost 160 decibels, explains Shah.
Manoj Shah and writer Bharat Naik have transformed Medea and brought it closer to home by using Jain myths Sagal Shah Seths wife kills her son Chelaiya by slow pounding. It is a play that incorporates the culture, practices and values that are forgotten today, says Shah.
This play is set in Kutch and Kathiawad. The sets have been planned and were researched for the past two months. The uncompromising director also took almost a month to choose the cast.
He adds, I had decided not to work until I found suitable actors and actresses.
November 15 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 6 and 9 pm
Lubna Salim and Ganesh Yadav in
Mera Kutch Saaman
Ganesh Yadav
Mera Kuch Saman
This is a play about relationships and marriage in modern society. It is a translation of a Marathi play called Ani Thodi Ole Panne, written by Chandrashekar Phansalkar. According to Yadav, Mera Kuch Saman is about being suffocated by the framework of society and marriage.
With this play, Yadav has shifted from the realm of politics to the personal. He says, Doing this play has been an exhaustive process, both as an actor and as a director.
Yadav shifted the scenes of the original script and arrived at the current form of the play through a process of improvisation with his actors. He says, I would ask them how they would react in a particular situation and then they would improvise.
November 16 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 6 and 9 pm
KK Raina
Agni-Leek
Sita is the epitome of the Indian woman: the unquestioning wife of Ram. KK Rainas Sita defies this stereotype by questioning her husband Ram and his deeds.
Raina says, Nobody has ever understood Sitas plight. In fact, women in our society are still treated as mere spectators. When asked whether a male director can do justice to a woman-centric subject, Raina says, I dont mean to be patronising, but men have been unfair to women and the questions that Sita raises in my play are very valid.
November 17 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 6 and 9 pm
Tom Alter and Mona Ambegaonkar in Whatever You Say
Ashok PurangBahut Raat Ho Chali Hai
I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to death your right to say it. These words by Voltaire have had a profound impact on the life and work of director Ashok Purang. His play, written by Sudhanva Deshapande, deals with the life of a woman painter who is hounded by the cultural police.
Ashok says, Nobody has the right to tell an artist what to do. I protest against what is happening in whatever way I can.
Ashok was chosen to direct this play by Yashpal Sharma, better known as Lakha from Lagaan. Says Ashok, Yashpal and a group of actors had worked on this play for several days before I came on to the scene.
Since most of the actors in this play are trained actors, Ashok says he chose a democratic process of working. A 15-minute section of this play has been choreographed by Sameep and Sawnand, who also penned the lyrics.
November 20 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 6 and 9 pm
Sufiana explores the master-disciple relationship
Salim GhouseSufiana
Salim Ghouse explores the master-disciple relationship in his latest play Sufiana, in which he portrays Mulla Nasrudin.
Talking about the play, Ghouse adds, A master gives a student a riddle. In the process of finding an answer, the student undergoes an intellectual change.
Ghouse rehearsed the play with his team for a month.
This disciple of Sufism adds, My play is a small attempt at showing my respect for the great Sufi masters.
November 19 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 6 and 9 pm
Ramesh Rajhans
Kabeera Khada Bazaar Mein
Saint Kabir, the philosopher, the poet and the man is the focus of Ramesh Rajhans play.
Though Bhishm Sahani wrote the original, Rajhans and his team have included some relevant poems by Kabir. The play also incorporates 17 songs composed by Kuldeep Singh.
Ramesh worked with 30 actors for two months. The technique he used to direct his actors was an open one. He says, I just explained the message of the play to my senior actors.
November 21 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 6 and 9 pm
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