Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Feb 14: The second day of ongoing 10-day long Abhinavagupta Natyotsav’, was marked by an impressive presentation of Vasant Dev’s Hindi translation of Mahesh Elkunchwar’s original Marathi play ‘Pratibimbh’, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
Staged by Pancham and directed by young talented Ifra Kak, the existentialist play considered as a modern classic, takes a satirical look at the loss of an ordinary man’s identity in the anonymity of the urban jungle. The plot revolves around characters drawn from a cross section of society: Danthal Babu, who symbolizes a bourgeois, Chachi, the cleaning woman, Jhanda Babu, the critic, the Girl-Jhadoo-all are living fragmented lives.
The very idea of a reflection-less state (read Identity), and the game of getting inside the mind of each other, makes the character to open the ‘windows’ of each other’s mind and explore deep into the different layers of their conscious and subconscious minds-leaves them mentally shattered. The play ends with Danthal Babu bogged down by existentialist angst choosing to commit suicide, while other characters continue to go on with their lives.
Designed and directed by young Ifra Kak, today’s production was striking for its experimental design and treatment in terms of imaginative set design, lighting and sound techniques. The quartet of cast lead by Gurmeet Kour Jamwal as Aurat/Chachi, Soham Kashyap as Danthal Babu, Rakesh Mayous as Jhanda Babu and Puneet Kaur as Jhadoo, gave a captivating performance. The flawless delivery of dialogues not only kept up the fast pace but showed complete control and synchronization while gliding back and forth from the real to imaginary realms.
Set was designed by Vijay Kapoor, music by Surinder Manhas, make-up by Dhairya and lights by Junaid Kak.
Tomorrow M.L. Kemmu’s play ‘Nangey’ will be staged by Unison Cultural Troupe under the direction of Sandeep Verma.
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