Playwright Mahesh Dattani on his new art space in Mumbai, and a unique performance in the city

Abhinav Grover (in grey beard) with the troupe during the performance. PICs/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Somewhere between the rhythmic taal and the chaos of physical movement on the stage, a six-year-old broke out in laughter. Suddenly, a group of serious adults watching Mahesh Dattani's, Yogi vs Bhogi, could not help but break into a chorus of laughter under the lights.

His new space

"Wasn't that delightful? And so honest," was playwright Mahesh Dattani's reaction, when we mentioned it. We stand amongst the audience at the director's new venue, Dhvani Art Space, on Madh Island. "I had been in search of a space of my own. I did not want it to be within the bustle of the city, but somewhere you could work in peace," he admits.

Neeraj Singh and Hrishabh Kanti (in cape) as Yama and his cohort

Located within the aptly named Vyas Wadi, it is a long commute to reach Dattani's new workspace. The playwright took his time designing the space before the inauguration on September 29. An open central stage welcomes you into the villa, and is roofed with cane and bamboo structures. With mud flooring, it lends itself naturally to the traditional form of theatre.

Dattani's new space offers a central arena to act as an open theatre

As the evening sets in, the soft lights adds an intimate feel to the performance which the cast delivered with skill. Actor Raghubir Yadav notes, "That's the magic of theatre. It can liven up a space like nothing else can."

Dattani reveals, "I plan to host my own workshops and productions here, and also curate the place. Artistes will be free to apply with very specific projects; the kind of theatre that we are losing out on."

Down the ages

The performance by Udupi's Punaha Theatre is an example. For Abhinav Grover of Punaha Theatre, the play has been a part of the group's journey. Having studied acting in the Drama School Mumbai, he was drawn to the traditional dance forms. "I wanted to explore the Indian physical form. It felt more natural," he explains.

Mahesh Dattani

In 2014, Grover travelled to Udupi to learn Yakshagana under his Guru Bannanje Sanjeev Suvarna.The distinct Kannada cadence in his English certifies his long years. Despite 12 years learning the art, the actor says, "I cannot claim to be a Yakshagana artiste, but I find a bridge between the form and Yaksha nataka."

Fluid motions

The play itself is an adaptation of the 7th Century farce, Bhagavadujjakkam, with one twist. The characters converse in a mix of English and Kannada. "I was very particular about that. I wanted them to retain the Kannada cadence, to seem natural," the playwright shares. The choice of the play speaks to Dattani's own themes - on spirituality, gender fluidity, and identity.

Raghubir Yadav

Having delighted the audience at Madh, the Udupi crew takes on the hallowed Prithvi Theatre today with two performances. If their inaugural performance is anything to go by, Mumbai is in for a show.

ON Today; 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm
AT Prithvi Theatre, Juhu Church Road, Juhu.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 400 onwards