Category: Plays

Kashmakash

The play Kashmakash is a gibe at political hypocrisy and opportunism. The protagonist of the play is an honest poor book-binder who is living a hard life with his daughter and wife. In the moment of need, he approaches local politician for help. The politician suggests him to fabricate the story of being a freedom fighter and earn a pension. The poor soul, the hero of our story, agrees to it. The plot gradually unfolds to show the audience merriment, pangs of exploitation and inner-conflicts aka Kashmakash of the family.

The performances of all characters are laudable. The central character is played effortlessly by the common man of the 80s – Aanjan of Wagle Ki Duniya fame. But that is the least expected from seasoned cast of IPTA under the direction of Ramesh Talwar. What this play excels at is the story line. The situations and scenes are written extremely well and are matched perfectly with realistic presentation and paraphernalia. The feelings that the play evokes in the audience are almost palpable. The audience feels sad when for family’s poverty, but also shares the joy and pride of public felicitations.

A motley of all emotions, this one is for everyone! Also, if you have time, ‘Wagle Ki Duniya‘, a famous TV series from late 80s by R K Laxman. The episodes are available on YouTube.

AglaPlay Verdict: A very very good play
AglaPlay Rating: 4/5
Language: Hindi 
Duration: 2 Hours (Approx.)
Writer:  Debasis Majumdar, translation by Santwana Nigam 
Director: Ramesh Talwar
Cast:    Aanjjan Srivastav, 
Sulabha Arya, Avtar Gill, 
Neeraj Pandey/ Vignesh Sinkar, 
Manju Sharma, Ranjana Srivastava, 
Omprakash, Prashant padale, 
Rajeev Jha

Below are a few relevant links, including the YouTube link to Wagle Ki Duniya TV Series.

Other Links
Review at TribuneIndia
Wagle Ki Duniya Wikipedia
Wagle Ki Duniya YouTube

Peele Scooter Wala Aadmi

The play is about Lal, a writer stuck in writer’s block. He is unable to finish his story because of unanswered questions from his childhood. Lal observes everything around him, from an eagle flying in the sky to a person in nearby apartment, but his thoughts get stuck to the yellow scooter. As the scenes show through Lal’s past and present and his relation with his father, the play gradually unfolds dark events which haunt Lal’s present.

The play is a masterpiece from the playwright/director Manav Kaul. The first half intrigues the audience with many open questions. In the second half, the audience gets absorbed in Lal as scenes come together beautifully, gradually lifting the drapes from the protagonist’s past.

The play is a rick theatrical experience, and a must watch for the connoisseurs. I would however, not recommend the play if you are looking forward to a simple play for a relaxed family evening. The play, particularly the first half, is convoluted and can be enjoyed only when one is engrossed and focused.

AglaPlay Verdict: A good play
AglaPlay Rating: 3/5
Language: Hindi 
(English version A man with yellow scooter)
Duration: 
Writer: Manav Kaul 
Director: Manav Kaul 
Cast:   Kumud Mishra,
Manav Kaul & Others

Below are a few relevant links, including the play script.

Other Links
Review at L'affaire
Manav Kaul Wikipedia
Script of the play

Shatranj Ke Mohre

Director by famed Ramesh Talwar in 70s, this is the longest running play of IPTA group. The title loosely translates to ‘Human Pawns’ in the context of the play. These human pawns, like their fellow Chess pawns; are expendables, and are stuck between the fight of two contrasting ideologies (kings). The central characters here are Kakaji and Acharya Ram Bhajan. The story unfolds between the contrasting ideologies of these two, identifying pawns of the system. This satirical play provokes the free decision-making ability of the characters itself.

The play is a treasure. A must-watch, it balances the bitter satire with precise comic timings and light notes. The seasoned cast of IPTA delivers yet another outstanding performance. The set and lightnings compliment the topnotch performances to create this classic. It is also a good opportunity for the audience to watch so many famed artists performing together on the stage! 

AglaPlay Verdict: Must watch
AglaPlay Rating: 5/5
Language: Hindi
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes (Approx)
Writer: P L Deshpande 
Director: Ramesh Talwar 
Cast:   Aanjjan Srivastav, 
Rakesh Bedi, 
Avtar Gill, Ramesh  Talwar, 
Rashmi Sharma, Bansi Thapar, 
Javed Khan 
& Others

Below are a few relevant links. The web link to the play performance by IIT Kanpur students is also provided for those who cannot see live performance.

Other Links
Image Gallery at IPTA Mumbai site
Ramesh Talwar Wikipedia
Aanjjan Srivastav Wikipedia
Avtar Gill Wikipedia
Rakesh Bedi Wikipedia

Constellations

This internationally performed play which explores possibilities. Roland the bee keeper, and Marianne the physicist meet at a social gathering, just like any two people meet. And just like any other such meeting, there are numerous possibilities to this. It can be their last meeting, or, they can go on for a few dates and then break-up, or they can get married and so on and on… The actors enact many of these could-have-beens, a spectrum of responses, a plethora of reactions from the same characters in the same situation.

The roles were played by Jib Sarbh and Mansi Multani at NCPA when I watched this performance. The setup by NCPA, which also was the producer, was elegant. Particularly the lighting looked very nice. The actors also performed well. And as I said earlier, this is an internally acclaimed play which demands the best from the best of the performers. Actors like Jake Gyllenhaal had donned the role of Roland earlier and it is far from an easy task to perform in a play like this experimental and it is a unique writing.

Sadly, beyond that experimentation and novelty factor, the play has nothing much to offer. In fact, it becomes boring. Mistake me not, the actors and the producers have put the best of the efforts and the show looks elegant. But the writing is so that it reduces to alternate line-readings to the audience. It ultimately becomes dull and monotonous many times, and annoying at a few instances.

AglaPlay Verdict: Avoid
AglaPlay Rating: 1/5
Language: English
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes (Approx)
Writer: Nick Payne
Director: Bruce Guthrie 
Cast:  Jim Sarbh (Roland)
Mansi Multani (Mariane)

Below are a few relevant links. The web link to the library touring performance of the play is also provided (without lighting and sound effects). 

Other Links
Trailer Constellations
Full Performance of the play
Constellations Wikipedia
Constellations GoodReads

Ek Aur Dronacharya

This unsparing, hard-hitting play showcases ground realities of world through events in lives of two teachers across eras. One, the mythical master of archery and scriptures – Dronacharya and another – Arvind, an honest modern-day college professor. Divided by the eras and times, the two unite in the conundrums they face as the practicality hit their idealism hard.

The play is unforgiving in its portrayal of ever-existing conflicts between idealism and the reality; an individual against the system. The idealism, which needs to stand upright with its head held high, is repeatedly drawn into submission for human needs. Did ideals took a bashing from Kaurvas Gold in Mahabharata period? Will ideals genuflect to Rupees in modern world?

The IPTA group delivers yet another sterling performance in this play. Aanjjan and Akhilendra particularly are exemplary in the characters they portray. The play is tightly written. The costumes and stage set is done well. Especially the costumes of Mahabharata-era are very nicely done. A must-watch for the theatre goers who would enjoy a hard-hitting play with great performances! 

AglaPlay Verdict: Do watch!
AglaPlay Rating: 4/5
Language: Hindi
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (Approx)
Writer: Shankar Shesh 
Director: Subhash Dangayach 
Cast:  Aanjjan Srivastav (Arvind), 
Sulabha Arya (Arvind's wife), 
Akhilendra Mishra (Dronachaarya), 
Nivedita Baunthiyal (Dronacharya's wife)
& Others

Below are a few relevant links. The web link to the play performance by IIT Kanpur students is also provided for those who cannot see live performance.

Other Links
Image Gallery at IPTA Mumbai site
Shankar Shesh Wikipedia
Performance by IIT K