Rebel for a cause

At the theatre festival Sarkash, watch some of the best proscenium and street plays and help build an alternate performance space in the capital

Mala Hashmi and Sudhanva Deshpande are busy taking us through the photographs on display as part of Sarkash, when Naseeruddin Shah walks in to tell us that he might be able to make it for the festival's opening session. The three solemnly discuss the details of the event.


A photograph of a Janam performance, which is on sale at the festival

Apart from presenting a Motley production in the festival, Shah has just agreed to be part of two platform performances. As soon as Shah leaves, Hashmi and Deshpande display wide grins. Deshpande can't contain his excitement, "In my book, he is the (Marlon) Brando of our times. But even that honour is not being fair to him because he is the Naseeruddin Shah of our times."

Jana Natya Manch (Janam) members are delighted that senior theatre artistes have been supporting them so wholeheartedly in raising funds for an alternate performance space in Delhi through Sarkashu00a0-- A festival of alternatives. Shabana Azmi, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajat Kapoor, Atul Kumar, Salim Arif, Ramu Ramanathan, Sunil Shanbagu00a0-- name them and the best representatives of Indian theatre have come together to make this festival a success.

While the main line up at the festival includes plays you may or may not have caught before, the performances to watch out for are Janam's own productionsu00a0-- Baangi, Yeh Dil Maange More, Guruji, Char Rang and Ujle Safed Kabootar: Kuchh Nazmein Philisteen Ke Naam.

Janam is well known for street plays. They call themselves a socially engaged group, which subscribes to a political world view. "Our street plays are very funny, yet they have moments that are in right earnest, dead serious," says Deshpande. At a time when the country is close to touching the 9% percent growth rate mark, Janam's plays talk about the other India.

"We've been announcing that we're the next big power and our Nandan Nilekanis and Montek Singh Ahluwalias are going to town with success stories. But there is a dark underbelly to this 'feel-good India' that people need to be aware of. We're trying to bring to life these stories, which don't get space in the traditional, mainstream media," says Deshpande, who has directed Janam's productions.

So, as part of Baangi, Janam will present a performance based on interviews and testimonies of workers from Delhi (NCR). Yeh Dil Mange More, Guruji was a play the group performed while Gujarat was still burning in the post-Godhra riots. "The play has been contemporised over time and the recent Ayodhya judgement finds a mention in the play now," Deshpande informs us. Char Rang is a re-interpretation of a short novel by Rabindranath Tagore called Chaturang, which presents an alternative take on feminism and religiosity. Lastly, Ujle Safed Kabootar brings the Palestinian struggle back on the table through poems and a photo essay.

Sarkash literally means rebel, so the other plays included in the festival also make a social and/or political statement. "Not everything has to be worn on the sleeve. Even what Shubha Mudgal will be singing is based on the theme of the festival. She'll be singing a selection of rebel songs by Kabir, Faiz, Sahir Ludhianvi and others," says Deshpande.u00a0

For plays that make you think, don't miss this festival.

Schedule for Sarkashu00a0-- A festival of alternatives
Baangi, the festival opening event, featuring readings, performances & songs from Safdar Hashmi's and Janam's works. Govind Deshpande's play on Jotirao Phule, Satyashodhak, will also be released, along with the SARKASH special issue of Janam's magazine Nukkad Janam Samvaad.
On: Today, 4 pm Entry: Free

Javed Siddiqui's Tumhari Amrita, featuring Shabana Azmi and Farooq Shaikh On: Today, 6 pm and 9 pm Tickets: Rs 500

Janam's Yeh Dil Mange More, Guruji, platform performance featuring Naseeruddin Shah with Janam actors
On: Tomorrow, 5 pm Entry: Free

Ismat Apa Ke Naam, featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Heeba Shah
On: Tomorrow, 6 pm and 9 pm Tickets Rs 500

Janam's Char Rang, based on Rabindranath Tagore's novel Chaturanga
On: December 7, 6 pm and 9 pm

Cinematograph's Hamlet, the Clown Prince, a play in gibberish
On: December 8, 6 pm and 9 pm Tickets: Rs 300

Gulzaar's Lakeerein, the play encompasses Indo-Pak relations through the last 60 years
On: December 9, 6 pm and 9 pm Tickets: Rs 300

Ramu Ramanathan's Cotton 56, Polyester 84, based on Mumbai's girni kamgaars
On: December 10, 6 pm and 9.30 pm Tickets: Rs 300

Swanand Kirkire's Aao Sathi Sapna Dekhein, a musical set in Chandni Chowk, Delhi
On: December 11, 6 pm and 9 pmu00a0 Tickets: Rs 300

Janam's Ujle Safed Kabootar: Kuchh Nazmein Philisteen Ke Naam, a poetry reading performance
On: December 12, 11 am Entry: Free

Shubha Mudgal's Sarkash Taraane, a music concert
On: December 12, 8 pm Tickets: Rs 500

All proceeds from the shows will go towards creative an alternative performance space in Delhi. The festival also includes an exhibition-cum-sale of Janam photographs as well as other Janam merchandise.