Attend this unique play in Mumbai that explores the journey of two artistes through music

Jahnvi Shrimankar and Kailash Waghmare at a previous performance

All musicians are equal. But are some more equal than others? Director-writer Sapan Saran takes a deep dive into the question with Same Same But Different. In this play, Jahnvi Shrimankar, an accomplished singer from SoBo sits across the table with Kailash Waghmare, a self-trained singer from a marginalised community hailing from Jalna in interior Maharashtra, as they share their stories and journeys through music.

"The idea germinated during the COVID-19 lockdown, when we were disconnected," Saran shares. She believes that we live in times where we are no longer hesitant to raise our voices against things that pose a threat to us as a community. "The question then arises, what do we celebrate and stand for? What binds us together? The answer was music," she adds. For Saran, the decision to rope in Shrimankar and Waghmare comes from her experiences of having worked with both artistes. "I thought about them interacting through music in my head. And it perfectly exemplified the social, political and economic state of the country," she recalls.

Sapan Saran

Every interaction between Shrimankar, who is groomed in Hindustani classical and its nuances by her grandmother, and Waghmare, who learnt singing while grazing cattle in the vast grounds outside his village, shines light on differences that form figurative barriers, and bridges between the two. "It fascinates me that your father introduced you to lavani," says Shrimankar in a scene, adding that her guru tweaked any words or metaphors that might have carried undertones of lust and love. Saran's vision of using music as a euphemism to delve into serious subjects shines through in such scenes. Shrimankar's speech transitions into a sweet classical piece that acts as a musical relief to the preceding discussion.

Both performers sing songs that offer insight into their diverse backgrounds. While most songs are performed individually, Saran gives us a dekko of a poignant scene, that in her opinion, encapsulates the spirit of the performance. "At one point, Jahnvi talks about singing an English song, and she invites Kailash to join her. It is a special moment where we see them coming together despite their social, economic, cultural and other differences. We don't say anything, but in this union in which both are culturally removed from their realities, they surpass many of their differences; to witness that gives us hope." Saran is next taking the play to Aurangabad for a performance for a 3,000-strong audience.

ON Tomorrow; 9 pm
AT Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
COST Rs 400