05 August,2011 07:33 AM IST | | Aditi Sharma
NCPA's Marathi Theatre Festival, Pratibimb, returns on a stronger footing in its second year. Catch three classic and two contemporary Marathi plays at the festival that kickstarts today
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This year's NCPA Pratibimb: Marathi Theatre Festival reminds one of a time machine switched to the hyperactive button. From Annasaheb Kirloskar's 1880 production of Sangeet Shakuntal to Acharya Atre's mid-20th century play Moruchi Maushi, from Sai Paranjape's Jaswandi from the '70s to Girish Oak's late '80s play Love Birds, the festival features yesteryear favourites either as revived productions or in the accompanying photo exhibition. Holding up the beacon for the current generation of Marathi rangkarmis are Aasakta Kalamanch's Mohit Takalkar and Kalakendra's Aniruddha Khutwad. According to Deepa Gahlot, head of programming (theatre and film) at the NCPA, the festival line-up is largely a reflection on the contemporary Marathi theatre scene. "What's happening in Marathi theatre is that people like Neelam Shirke, Sunil Barve and theatre groups like Maharashtra Rangabhoomi are reviving classics either because they don't have good scripts or because the classics work better from the commercial aspect. So we wanted the festival to reflect this trend," she states, adding, "Mohit and Aniruddha are two contemporary directors without whom we cannot have a Marathi theatre festival."
Having spent months on research before deciding the final list of plays for the festival, Gahlot is the best person to tell us why each of the plays is a must watch.
The plays will be staged at Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. Call: 22824567 Tickets: Rs 150
Kalakendra's Mister Behram
On: August 8, 6.30 pm
What's it about? The play was originally written by Gieve Patel and translated into Marathi by Shanta Gokhale. It takes place in the1890s when India was under British rule. The play centres around Mister Behram, a renowned and respected Parsi lawyer, and his adopted son Nhanu aka Naval, a tribal boy.u00a0
Gahlot says: I've been seeing Aniruddha's work over the past few years and have liked what I've seen. This play also deals with history in the sense that it was written in the '80s but it's based in the 19th century against a Parsi background. So that's something interesting.
Neelam Shirke'su00a0 Moruchi Maushi
On: August 6, 6 pm
What is it about? Based on the English play Charlie's Aunt, this one is a mad caper featuring two paying guests -- Bhaiya and Moru -- a cross-dressing actor, an aunt of royal personage and two beautiful girls among other characters.
Gahlot says: The play was written by Acharya Atre who is considered a big name of Marathi theatre. The original production was staged in 1948 and over a period of time, it has seen many revivals. This play also complements the photo exhibition.
Amruta Productions and Saisakshi's Love Birds
On: August 9, 6.30 pm
What's it about? This classic thriller takes off from the belief that if two love birds are separated, they cannot survive for long. Vishwas Inamdar loses his memory in an almost fatal accident. But due to the effort taken by his wife and secretary he recalls committing a serious crime before meeting with the accident.
Gahlot says: This play is closer to our times as it was first produced in the late '80s. Girish Joshi (the playwright-director) has himself updated the play to modern times so now it includes mobile phones and even an element of video technology.
Aasakta Kalamanch's Gajab Kahani
On: August 7, 6 pm
What's it about? Based on Nobel laureate Jose Saramago's novel The Elephant's Journey, the play literally follows an elephant's journey from Goa to Vienna via Lisbon.
Gahlot says: The production has simple sets and costumes, a very nice design and content. Gitanjali Kulkarni's performance is unforgettable. I saw this play earlier in the year and fell in love with it.
Maharashtra Rangabhoomi's Jaswandi
On: Today, 6.30 pm
What is it about? Jaswandi tells the story of a housewife whose busy husband has no time for her. Her loneliness leads her to an affair with a younger man, that can only lead to more heartache.
Gahlot says: Sai Paranjape is known for her films, not so much for her contribution to Marathi theatre. Jaswandi was written in the mid-70s and then she used a very interesting form. The story is seen from the point of view of two tomcats who the protagonist picks off the street and brings home. Also, even though the story is tragic there's a lot of humour in the play.
