| The oppressor has lost his conscience long ago and doesn’t care. The oppressed treasures his conscience and is unwilling to compromise. The parasite swings between the two, disturbed by the former, lured by the latter | |
We’ve seen one-performer plays in English and Hindi, now for the first time, prolific producer Manhar Gadhia dabbles with the genre on the Gujarati stage. Titled Eklo Jaane Re, the production comprises of six monologues.
Padmavibhushan Bhargav Parikh profiles a veteran industrialist, confined to a wheelchair, reflecting on his glorious past. Superbly written by Anil Joshi, it draws on some extraordinary similis and visuals like “ice is the only element whose past and future is water”. The long sojourn is effectively performed by Manoj Joshi. Director Rajesh Joshi by turning his actor into a cripple, uses the wheelchair as an interesting prop, moving it from one spotlight to another on an otherwise barren stage.
Aastik Naastik written, performed and directed by Arvind Joshi, delves on the age-old issue of religion vs atheism. Giving a contemporary twist to the debate and providing socio-political insights, Joshi tries his best to fill an old bottle with a new fragrance but the subject tends to get repetitive after a while. Also, the movements on stage are too sporadic. Perhaps, the use of some symbols to cut into the two arguments and brighten up the space could have made the act more appealing.
Savita is about the housewife-next-door who lives a quiet life in a small by-lane of Bhuleshwar. She spends her time after her husband leaves for work cooking his favourite vegetables and thinking of ways to raise his comfort level. She is lonely but has learnt to find humour in conversations with herself. Tied down to her monotonous routine, she fantasises about spending quality time with her partner during which he would enquire about her anxieties and perhaps exhibit some curiosity about her wardrobe. This never happens and Savita learns to find solace in her dreams. A terrific gender statement by director Manoj Shah and Bhupen Khakkar, Savita has a great performance by actress Rupa Divetiya who as the oppressed housewife is effortless and vibrant.
Jhamku Dosi was undoubtedly the best play of the evening. The versatile Meenal Patel as Jhamku once again came through with flying colours. Writer Anil Joshi peels off layers and layers from this seemingly indefatigable character to reveal a wounded soul, healing from multiple tragedies. Jhamku has survived the untimely demise of her husband, son, daughter-in-law. She lives for her grandson. She has brought him up under compelling circumstances and is now looking forward to his marriage. However, a few days prior to the wedding, her grandson dies in a road mishap. The wedding she is seen preparing for is in fact his funeral. It’s a heart-rending story and as the suffering, old lady Meenal breaks your heart.
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Karna written by Madhukar Randeria, directed by Siddharth Randeria and performed by Bakul Thakkar playing Karna. Angry and full of complaints towards his mother Kunti for abandoning him and depriving him of his rights, the illegitimate child through his outburst comes to terms with his destiny.
System is a spine-chilling play written by Uttam Gada and directed by Manoj Shah who also directs Savita. The writer depicts extraordinary insights into the mind of an oppressor, the oppressed and the parasite benefiting from both of them. The oppressor has lost his conscience long ago and doesn’t care. The oppressed treasures his conscience and is unwilling to compromise. The parasite swings between the two, disturbed by the former, lured by the latter. The sutradhar is the watchman of a CBI office, the only witness to a criminal investigation. He thrives on their helplessness and exploits them to the fullest. Actor Abhay Harpaar/Chirag Vora plays the crude watchman without inhibition. It’s the kind of a role Paresh Rawal would excel in on screen.
With lighting by Rajesh Joshi and Jayesh Dumsiya, music by Paresh Parekh and Ketan Raithatha, Ekla Jaane Re is in the true sense a festival of performnces and should not be missed.