Reviving a classic play once silenced by censorship

A previous staging of the play. Pics courtesy/Amygo Productions

In the field of art, how often does one stop to think about censorship? 1876: The Untold Story of the First Indian Play to Get Banned, presented by Mumbai-based Amygo Productions, revisits one of India's earliest documented instances of theatrical censorship through a two-hour courtroom drama.

Inspired by historical events, the play traces the trial that followed the staging of Neel Darpan, the Bengali play that exposed the exploitation of indigo farmers, and led to the British introducing the Dramatic Performances Act of 1876. The production draws from months of research and archival records to recreate the lives of playwright Dinabandhu Mitra, theatre director Ardhendu Mustafi, and members of Calcutta's National Theatre, who were tried after the performance was banned. Director Amatya Garodia explains, "At its core, the play is about censorship. Even today, people often censor themselves because they don't know how their words will be received or what consequences may follow."

Amatya Garodia

On July 7, 8 pm; July 8, 6 pm and 9 pm At Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu.
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ENTRY Rs 200