Beyond the Land of Hattamala

My friend and I decided to watch a play one weekend in Ranga Shankara in JP Nagar. It was the first time I had ever been to Ranga Shankara (I'm such a useless Bangalorean) and it was an out-of-the-world experience. Me highly recommends this experience. The title of this post is actually the name of the play we watched (obvious I guess). General details - The play was for 90 minutes and had about 7 actors. Languages used were English & Hindi.

The play began with all the actors huddled around the center. I think they chanted a prayer. Soon after, they took positions and the spotlight was on this actor who was seated in the corner of the stage. Guitar in hand, he was the musician cum singer throughout the play. I must admit his role in the play was subtle yet impactful ! And he had a deep and resounding voice - I liked him :-) Here's a tiny gist of the brilliance that unfolded in front of my eyes - Midnight in Hattamala. Two thieves rob the Thakur's house and escape. The 2 thieves are Kena Lal & Becha Lal , played by a guy and a girl. They jump into the river and end up in Never-Never land. In this new land, normal buying and selling concepts don't hold good. People are shown to be self-sufficient. Everything needed for survival is produced there by the people. Money does not exist. This astounds the 2 thieves and what follows is a series of misadventures until they eventually understand the ways of life in this new Land.

The 2 thieves posing as innocent and curious visitors in Never Never Land were outstanding - although in parts the guy simply stole the show with his wit and stage-presence !They were absolutely likeable and hilarious from scene 1. The remaining 4 actors who switched roles (from being the Thakur's house occupants to the residents of Never Never Land) were equally brilliant. What amazed me was the use of actors themselves as props. In the scene where the thieves escape by jumping into the river, the other actors positioned themselves as the river and trees. They flayed their arms and legs about and made swooshing noises portaying a river with violent waves !! The transformation was spot on. One moment , an actor would be a doctor and the next moment he/she would be a dog or tree. It requires versatility! That's not all, the stage setting and arrangement of the props had to be done by actors themselves swiftly. Sheer excellence!!

Its a different world out there and I could feel their enery pulsating and literally charging up the entire auditorium. Everyone from 6 to 60 was enthralled. Its a little sad that plays are not usually in the spotlight and theatre groups have to struggle for audience sometimes. Its art unadulterated. Visual treat :-)

The play got over only by 9 and I had quite a bit of trouble getting home, but then I slept blissfully dreaming about Kena Lal and Becha Lal's adventures. I was thoroughly mesmerized. Hats off to 'Our Theatre' troupe, Badal Sircar and the actors for such an entertaining show !!