PRACHI SIBAL prachi. sibal@ mid- day. com HALAHAL is the mythical poison Shiva drank to save the world, one that earned him the name Neelkanthak.
Writer- director Priyanka Charan found resonance with the story with respect to the countryu2019s draconian sedition law, u201c just like the words that choke us when they canu2019t find a voice.u201d And so, her play that was first staged at the Vibha Mishra theatre festival in Bhopal last year and premieres in the city on Saturday is called Halla- hal.
The solo performance tells the story of a mother ( played by Sonali Bhardwaj) whose son asks too many questions.
While she questions her parenting at first, she realises that there is in fact nothing wrong in the act of questioning. The son is later booked under the sedition law.
The motheru2019s lament is on a largely bare stage, save for a torn bloodied kurta that fills in for the sonu2019s absence. The story is set in an unnamed place, the language is Hindustani and the costume canu2019t be traced back to a singular culture.
u201c You canu2019t tell whether the woman is Hindu, Muslim or . esuit. She wears a headscarf, mekhala, an umbrella skirt and slacks. The outfit is both Indian and Western,u201d says Charan, who gave up a banking job for full- time theatre and films.
Despite being a serious subject, Charan decided to use satire to make a point and raise relevant questions.
u201c Things are so bizarre that I couldnu2019t do anything other than comedy. As many as . . , . . . villagers in a single district in . harkhand were booked for sedition,u201d she says.
The narrative uses relatable everyday stories to drive home the audacious yet severe implications of the law. It does not speak of specific cases but draws from them in whole or in part keeping the intended ambiguity intact.
Charan was initially reluctant to stage the play in Mumbai fearing the reactions it might bring about in the current climate. The play has also seen some evolution and additions over its resting period. u201c I wrote it in October and ironically, everything I wrote back then has come true. It was supposed to be satire,u201d she says, alluding to the times we live in.
ON February 16, 7.30 pm AT Champak Studio 1, next to Yash Raj, Fun Republic Lane, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO instamojo. com COST R 250 THEATRE A play takes a satirical look at the draconian sedition law and its misuse over the years Staging sedition ( Above and right) The play tackles a serious subject with satire u2018 Everything I wrote in October has come true, it was supposed to be satireu2019 Priyanka Charan
