Catch this witty play on marriage in Mumbai

A moment from the play

It is easy to imagine Makarand Deshpande as a philosopher even after a short conversation. The actor and playwright can speak profusely on societal bias, hubris and comedy with equanimity. His latest work promises to touch upon all these elements with his trademark humour and insight.

"I have been writing about subjects or question marks that you come upon while living life," Deshpande tells us. His new production - Dhat Teri Yeh Grihasti slated to go on stage at Prithvi Theatre this weekend - is a take on one of the oldest institutions in civilisation - marriage. The playwright explains that it is part of his curiosity about aspects like ageing, beauty and death that led him to the subject. "We speak of the four ashrams - brahmacharyashram, grahasthashram, vanaprasthashram and sanyasahram of which marriage falls in the third category. People consider it essential to life, but are you qualified and ready for marriage is a different question," he says.

Makarand Deshpande. Pic Courtesy/Pratik Sureka

The premise revolves around a couple who is struggling with their seven-year-old marriage; they decide to start a service to help other couples in trouble. This leads them to a diverse range of experiences, he says, such as an old couple, married for 50 years, but struggling to get along; a younger couple from broken homes who are unsure of marriage, and a bachelor who is against the concept.

"I sought to examine it from all the perspectives of three different generations," Deshpande says, adding that the two-act play will use the motif of farcical humour to highlight the issues in the institution of marriage.

"We live in a male-dominated society, where everything is about the man. The play raises doubts on this aspect, and in an absurd manner," he says. Humour, according to the playwright, is essential to treat such subjects. "I think humour has to be natural. It can result from the stupidity of human beings. It is not to make people laugh, but an outcome of the truth."

As an example, he points out, "I see people talking about their rights over their wife. I don't understand that. That's ridiculous and funny." Many might agree, but Deshpande has his own reasons. As a playwright and actor, he notes that writing is his way of answering questions he comes across in society. Calling it a lifestyle, he says, "I have tried to be aware of the world around me, and what bothers me. I have been resorting to writing plays where the audience and actors are in the same timeline - the present. That is where the play becomes more effective."

Dhat Teri Yeh Grihasti is the writer's latest work and only opened earlier this year at Prithvi's annual festival in November. "Now, we are back," he says, adding that his theatre company, Ansh, will host its own theatre festival in January 2023. "It will feature six full-length plays and a children's play, alongside five workshops," he says of the week-long schedule. For now though, the director is busy in preparation for the show. The farce, as he puts it, must go on.

On December 30, 8 pm; January 21, 6 pm and 9 pm
AT Prithvi Theatre, 20, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Juhu.
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Cost Rs 400 onwards