‘Common Man’ comes alive in music, poetry evening at NCPA

Cartoonist RK Laxman. FILE PIC/NIMESH DAVE

Potholes may inspire poetry and urban mismanagement be set to music. There's humour in desperate house hunting in Mumbai. Creative artistes are coming together in an evening of poetry, humour and music inspired by the legendary, late RK Laxman and his creation: ‘The Common Man'. The event is headlined: ‘Ek Shaam Aam Aadmi Ke Naam' and will be held on Saturday, May 9, at the Tata Theatre, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).

Said creative producer Usha Laxman, "The Common Man brought a laugh to lips and grins to the grim. Biting satire, trenchant observation and witty comment that are the hallmarks of the Common Man."

A statue of the ‘Common Man' along the Worli Seaface promenade. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE

One big indicator of the greatness of a creator and their creation is that their work lives on after them. That is what the Common Man cartoon was all about. It resonates even today. "That is why," said Usha Laxman, "we decided to let the audience look at the Common Man through a different lens. Social commentary, political shenanigans, and quotidian challenges through the Common Man are as relevant today as they were before."

The play

The Common Man was enacted as a play beginning 2008 and ran for 150 shows till 2012. The play, by actor-director Ajit Kelkar titled: ‘RK Laxman's: Common Man', was staged across India, and there were some shows in the US too. Kelkar, who lives in Mahim, said, "The Common Man is always relevant as the world may change, but basics stay. This is one way to keep the Common Man on the radar and always relevant."

Santoor to speak for Common Man

Rahul Sharma, renowned santoor player and composer
‘I remember looking at the Common Man cartoon daily and laughing at his down-to-earth take on topics like politics to something as ordinary though important as garbage in the city. Like the Common Man cartoon did, this show will create bridges between the Common Man and Indian classical music, which may seem intimidating to some. The test of an artiste is also about how he weaves in contemporary events into his craft. The santoor will play the music of the Common Man.'

Artistes ahoy

Javed Akhtar Film writer and lyricist
Rahul Sharma Santoor player and composer
Ojas Adhiya Tabla player
Mahesh Manjrekar Actor and director
Vaibhav Joshi Marathi poet
Atul Tiwari Actor and event convenor