Bride & Prejudic Mommy comes to town with play

Mumbai-based theatre personality Nadira Babbar celebrates 30 years of her group Ekjute by bringing in town four of her Hindi plays

Remember Manorama Bakshi from the movie Bride and Prejudice? The middle-aged Punjabi lady whose sole aim in life is to get her daughters married to wealthy NRIs? Noted theatre personality Nadira Zaheer Babbar, who enacted the character of Mrs Bakhi will be in town this weekend but this time her concerns are graver.



Founded by Babbar and her husband actor and politician Raj Babbar, the Mumbai-based performance troupe Ekjute will be celebrating 30 years of its existence and on this occasion, the group brings to the city stage, four Hindi plays directed by Nadira. Over three days, Ekjute would be presenting the four plays Begum Jaan, Dayashankar Ki Diary, Hum Kaahein Aap Suney and Yaar Banaa Buddy at Ranga Shankara. Babbar claims that each play is distinct in its own ways but bound by the aim of providing the audience with some food for thought while entertaining them.

"All these plays are based on absolute personal experiences. None of them are frivolous comedies as each has an underlying message.u00a0 We feel that we should provide audience with profound theatre," says Nadira in a telephonic interview from Mumbai. She adds that all these plays mirror the recent time and explore the cultural scenario, political conditions, human relationships and more.

Nadira reasons that all four plays are expressions of her creative self and was thus chosen for Ekjute's celebration. While she refuses to pick her favourite among the four plays, Nadira confesses that though unbelievable, she has performed for Ekjute only six to seven times in the last 30 years. However, this time Bangaloreans are in for a treat as Nadira is all set to play the role of Begum Jaan in the play of the same name.

"It is good to be back on stage after long intervals. In so many years I could not as I was always busy looking after Ekjute and ensuring that the group functions properly," reveals Nadira.

The Guide brings you a roundup ofu00a0 the four plays that Ekjute has lined up for theatre lovers this weekend.

Begum Jaan
Babbar describes this play as one of the best modern scripts ever written with an equal touch of humour and pathos. Penned by Hindi and Urdu playwright Javed Siddiqui, the play revolves around the life of an octogenarian Hindustani classical singer Begum Jaan (played by Babbar) from Lucknow. Old yet witty, Begum Jaan has regrets but does not mull on them. Away from glory, the once famous singer has settled in Lucknow with her granddaughter Zarina. Suddenly the entry of journalist Sanjay Pande changes their lives. However, as the play progresses, we shall see that Sanjay has ulterior motives.u00a0

Terming Begum Jaan as an evergreen play, Babbar says, "It is a realistic style overview of the pathetic futuristic situation of classical music in our country. The play is a tragedy as well as a satire defining the victory of real good values over the wrong ones," explains Nadira.

Through Begum Jaan's life story, the audience will get a glimpse of how India transformed after independence. According to Babbar, the character of Begum Jaan is remarkable as she faces a life of anonymity with guts and grace and does not accept sympathy. Nadira promises that Jaan's dignity set against the backdrop ofu00a0 her good and bad times will make Bangaloreans admire and think at the same time.

On May 20, 7.30 pm, Dayashankar Ki Diary
Dayashankar Ki Diary is the first play written by Nadira. The play that revolves around a single character Dayashankar played by the National Award winning actor Ashish Vidyarthi, known for his role in Drohkaal (1995) is considered to be one of the best performances by Vidyarthi.u00a0u00a0

Describing the play as a difficult one due to the presence of a solo actor, Nadira says, "The play is about people who come to Mumbai with a dream and then the city eats them up. Dayashankar's character shows the disintegration and degeneration of such lives."

From a small town Dayashankar came to Mumbai with the dream of becoming a star but ends up working as a lower division clerk at a government office in Mumbai. His unhappiness is doubled by expectations of his family, his job and a soft corner for an MLA's daughter. Babbar says that to escape these hurdles of reality, Dayashankar withdraws into his own world of dreams and realities. But the problem begins when Dayashankar merges the two worlds of his dream and reality. Babbar, however describes Dayashankar as in interesting character with the right mix of innocence and rural humour. So, if you want to be the part of a man's journey who constantly shuttles between real life and his self-created world, here is your chance.
On May 21, 3.30 and 7.30 pm

Hum Kahhein Aap Suney
Hum Kahhein Aap Suney, claims Nadira, is Ekjute's effort to revive and protect the cultural heritage of our country. Performed by three actors Ananth Mahadevan, Yudhvir Dahiya andu00a0 Nadira herself, the play adheres to the ancient Persian performing tradition of Dastangoi or the art of storytelling.

Refusing to reveal details of the play, Babbar shares, "It is a play within a play representing three generations of stories. Also, another play runs parallel to the narrative."

However, she adds that the stories are not restricted to any particular topic or period and assures that each tale is equally adventurous and intriguing.
On May 22, 3.30 pm

Yaar Baana Buddy
What happens when one of your close friends starts behaving strangely? The play Yaar Baana Buddy, according to Babbar will show how success alters an individual as he tries to adapt himself to new changes and ultimately loses his essence.

u00a0Describing the play as a hilarious and sensitive comedy, Nadira says, "It is about the most beautiful relationship-friendship. It shows how when you reach the top you disassociate yourself from old people. Aap dal chawal bhi chhuri kaante se khaane lagte ho(You start eating dal and rice with forks and knife)," she muses and adds that in personal life she has encountered such people.

The play is all about the companionship shared by four friends Mithilesh, Kartik, Sugna and Jaideep. However, soon Jaideep, a successful cosmetic surgeon begins ignoring his friends as he starts hobnobbing with the who's who of the city. He finds his friends shabby in comparison to his new circle of friends and this feeling also affects his romantic relationship with Sugna. Babbar explains that the play is an effort to show how being fluent in English, being brand conscious and other such vices have gripped theu00a0 hearts and minds of modern Indians. However, she assures that although the play presents a profound thought and it will surely entertain the audience and appeal to all age groups.

On May 22, 7.30 pm
where Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar
Call 09819997761
For R 150