Based on Bertold Brecht's satire, Quasar Padamsee's play takes an absurdist look at religion and war
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A little over a year ago, Quasar Padamsee was taking a class in a scene study course at The Drama School Mumbai. He thought of picking up one particular scene from German playwright Bertold Brecht's play Mother Courage And Her Children. "As we went on to study that scene in class, I was fascinated," recalls the 38-year-old theatre director. "I had first read the play nearly 20 years ago and I remember enjoying it. When I took up that scene for class, all the feelings I had while reading it the first time, came rushing back to me." At that time, however, adapting the play was a distant thought. But, the impulse wouldn't leave him. "I got working on it and that took me almost about a year. And now, here we are."
The play is finally ready, after a rigorous casting process that went on for three months. "In a nutshell, the play is about a woman, Mother Courage, who makes a living out of war. She's an incredibly spirited woman who runs a part mobile restaurant business and supply store, and goes to the frontlines to sell her wares. She is the only non-soldier there – the best entrepreneur in the world!" says the director. A political satire, the play looks at the absurdity of war and religion. "Mother Courage does not care which side she sells to, as long as they have money. That encapsulates the philosophy of her life."
Quasar Padamsee
The play also takes a look at survival, when everyone makes decisions based on their own agenda. The original play is set in the 1600s, where the Holy War is being fought between the Catholics and the Protestants, which went on for 30 years. Padamsee's version takes a departure from specifics. "We have invented two religions. Here, the war is being fought between the Extremists and the Fundamentalists," he tells us. The geographical location has been deliberately kept vague. "It looks like somewhere in India, only because the characters look like Indians. The time is also contemporary. They look and speak somewhat like we do," Padamsee says. The costumes therefore had to be craftily done, as they needed to walk the line between absurdist, yet, realistically contemporary.
The play spans over 15 years and has 55 characters. "Our play has 13 characters, telling the story of 55." He has roped in Bengaluru-based actress Arundhati Nag for the title role. "She's one of the most experienced names in the business. She used to do theatre in Mumbai 40 years ago. And this is the first time she is returning to do a play in the city." Speaking of why Nag fits the role best, he says, "The character starts her journey in her early 50s and by the time the play ends, she's in her late 60s. Nag has that range the role demanded. Also, she speaks multiple languages. The play is primarily in English, but, there's some Kannada, Gujarati and Hindi too."
When word got out that Padamsee was working on Brecht's play, there were several raised eyebrows, we are told. "Everyone asked me how have I taken up such a gigantic task. I am, of course, realising the magnitude, now that we are nearing the end of our rehearsals. But, the play could not be more relevant to today's times. The question we should be asking is why aren't more people doing this play!"
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