Sumedha Raikar-Mhatre: A play that helps them fight an illness

Moong dal khichadi is high on the logistics list of a troupe performing the twohour dance show Amhi Prakashbeeje We The Seeds of Light The khichadi is not central to the shows message which speaks of not discriminating against those inflicted with HIV but has a bearing on the dietary requirements of its 70 child artistes who are touring the state with the performance The moong dalrice meal is a nutritious and safe meal they have learnt to make at the Palawi rescue home in Pandharpur where they live By keeping their promise to avoid street food which plays havoc with their digestion the performers get the chance to essay their parts in the play thats now in the second year Their next show is coming up in August at Punes Balgandharva auditoriumThe joke in the Palawi circuit goes that Amhi Prakashbeejes success is demonstrated not by the sale of tickets because shows in and out of Pandharpur have always gone full sponsored by Palawis donors but whether all members of the cast get to perform given their weak immune system A week before the Mumbai performance at Damodar Hall last November three children suffered indigestion and one had to be put on intravenous drip after he landed in Mumbai It is another story that the indisposed children did their best on stageUsually we dont replace these kids immediately when they fall ill because that has an impact on their recovery We wait for the health update on the day of the performance In a cast of 70 each performer renders at least three dancedrama sequences which makes it difficult to substitute them says Dimple Ghadge 46 a Palawi backstage manager who has been travelling with the artistesPalawi which turns 16 this year is a project of the familyowned nongovernmental PrabhaHira Pratishthan Trust floated by Ghadges mother Mangal Shah in 1996 in Pandharpur The residential home currently houses 110 HIVpositive children aged 2 months to 21 rescued from cities as diverse as Gulbarga Aurangabad and Bhiwandi Palawi has been also providing special schooling since 2013 The first batch of ten passed SSC this year all of whom perform in Amhi PrakashbeejeShah says the production has turned out exactly the way it was designed an inhouse vantage point as well as a tool to engage with the larger world The daily rehearsal for the show adds colour to the childrens lives likewise the police and other rescue agencies are able to reach Palawi through the show One of the dramatised sequences in which an infant one of Palawis infants plays the part is rescued from the trash remains central to its message It is an appeal to parents with fullblown AIDS not to abandon their offspring fearing they have passed on their condition out of shame We plead to the larger public not to fritter away the seeds of light in trash cans nullahs or crematoriums where children are often found Parents however desperate must do a respectful handover to institutions like Palawi or any recognised body which increases the life expectancy of the child Shah maintains Palawis children who declare their HIVpositive status in the productions publicity invites as well as the script interact with the audience after each show particularly the older ones who can articulate why they prefer to share their stories rather than hide themThe show a medley of motivational aerobics local sports numbers devoted to themes of national integration a flavour of folk dances and a dash of mime underlines the childrens potential to lead healthy lives if nurtured at an early stage their prospect of schooling if institutions dont close their doors on them their scope of earning a livelihood if given ageappropriate vocational training When donors approach Palawi Shah encourages them to contribute in creative ways that go beyond cash donations She recalls the story of Sanglibased directorchoreographer Mahesh Patil who helped mount the play as Palawis longterm tool of engagement Patil and his wife had come to Palawi two years ago to buy its merchandise quilts purses souvenirs made by the AIDSaffected elder women who work under the microcredit savings and selfemployment schemes initiated by PrabhaHira Pratishthan Shah had heard of Patils Mulukh Marathi dance show which included over 100 child artistes Patil had earned a reputation for teaching lavani and other native folk dances to American children Shah made him an offer she asked him to temporarily shift base to Pandharpur and stay with the kids which he did not refusePatil started visualising a transportable set for the show Since Sangli offered better fare for artistes drapery stage props and other accoutrements he shopped in his city and gradually couriered parts of the set and costumes to Palawi Mangaltai gave me a specific brief she wanted a technically sound production which could earn the respect and attention of the audience at the same time it had to be an effective inhouse tool to keep the children in good spirits Palawis success rests on keeping the children joyful and charged so that they overcome physical debilities recalls Patil for whom it wasnt easy to conduct rehearsals amid medical emergencies There were tenuous moments when the effort did not seem doable specifically when two children passed away leaving a pall of gloom in the rehearsal space But just when Patil was thinking of abandoning the show since it had by then crystallised into an ambitious twohour event children clung to the idea They did not want to give up recalls 18yearold Shivaji none of Palawis residents have second names recalls who has secured 63 per cent in the recently held std 10 board exams and wants to pursue hotel management We have only good memories about the practice that was as good as the show itself And of course we were all talking about the majja it held the possibility of visiting cities and people we hadnt seen We can do anything to keep that going on Interestingly Palawi holds a monthly series of motivational lectures by kirtankars and other speakers from Pandharpur which helps counter healthinduced depression among the childrenExcursions are also encouraged whether routine ones like birthday visits to the iconic Vithal Mandir or a treat to the movie of the season Bahubali includedAmhi Prakashbeejes role as a tool to fight depression is acknowledged by many Alandeep Tapre the Math teacher who has coached Palawis students over eight years much before the school got the SSC board recognition observes The show has become their identity also a relief from the school routine Even the hint of an offer to perform in bigger metros motivates the kids Police inspector Dayanand Gawade who has worked over the last four years with Palawi says I have seen infants brought in the worst infected condition grow into smiling toddlers It is great to see them dance to songs that take on social subjects like farmers suicides and terrorismPalawis wider connect with Pandharpur reflects in the positive response from different sections and in the fact that the shows HIVpositive cast has a large family of friends Be it chartered accountant Sanjeev Kothadiya writerresearcher Abhay Joshi yoga instructor Ashok Nanavare or grocery goods distributor Siddharth Phade Incidentally Palawis kids make an impact on the annual Ashadi Ekadashi event in Pandharpur This year they vended bottled water hand towels and incense sticks to Lord Vithal devotees who take the annual barefoot pilgrimage to their temple town The trademark cotton carry bags made by the children were a big hit at this years wari Palawis 18yearold Sukanya says When there are so many friends and Lord Vithal in your own city we feel special We want to share our story The show helps us connect with people and tell them our future plans Each of us has one Mine is to be an accountant I like mathsSumedha RaikarMhatre is a culture columnist in search of the subtext You can reach her at sumedharaikargmailcom