Tagore Reloaded

So beginning August 2,we will be treated to Chitrangda,a dance drama directed by Indrani Mukhpadhyay,that comes specially from Shantiniketan. What’s unique is the fact that four plays are in Punjabi and two especially produced for children.

Dr Sahib Singh of Samvaad Theatre Group has chosen two stories of Tagore to direct Baat Soohe Phoolan Di based on The Story of Red Blood Flowers. The director agrees that it was a challenge to stage the stories as a play and that too in Punjabi,“Tagore’s language is so poetic. I researched and read a number of his works and finally decided to stage something that is relevant in today’s times and modified it with rich music,dance and colour. It’s a narrative that will leave the audience with a lot of thought,” explains Singh.

Exploring a variety of themes,be it Tagore’s liberated thought process or his understanding of a woman’s pain and position in society,the city’s oldest groups Abhinet has chosen two of Tagore’s works for the festival. Kankaal,directed by Kamal Arora is the story of a child widow and the tragedy of her life,while Karan Kunti Samvaad directed by Rana Nayyar is a conversation between Kunti and Karan,as she tells him to come back home with her. “The language and the subtlety with which Tagore says so much in a simple and effective manner is what we explore here,with Vijay Kapoor developing the story and dialogue into short plays. The dialogues are overwhelming,” explains Kamal Arora.

Director Sudesh Sharma’s group,Theatre for Theatre is staging Chirkumar Sabha (Bachelor’s Society),written in 1901. The play talks about a woman’s integral role in keeping the society together and how without her there can be no success or progression,“This one explores male chauvinism,and how both knowledge and education is denied to a woman. What’s best,it’s all said with subtle humour,which is situational,” explains Sharma.

Theatre director Davinder Daman believes that Tagore’s works need to be staged in various languages all over India,as the depth with which he explores human emotions is incomparable. Daman’s group Norah Richards Rang Manch is staging Varmaala. It has been adapted from a story written in 1904 and explores a child’s psyche,who does not know the meaning of love and how she searches for it till her dying day,“The social context with which he writes about relationships is amazing and staging it in Punjabi is an honour,’” says Daman.

Zubin Mehta of Yadavindra Public School will stage the classic Kabuliwala,a story,which says Mehta,has a strong emotional quotient that touches the heart. “And our students will leave the audience asking for more,” promises Mehta. Tota Kahani directed by Zaulfikar Khan also promises to be a treat for children. Lal Kaneer and Balidan are the two other plays in Punjabi. There will also be an exhibition of prints of Tagore’s paintings as part of the festival while Neelam Man Singh will be honoured on the final day of the festival.

Passes for the festival,which begins on August 2,will be available at Tagore Theatre next week onwards.