Veteran writer-director-actor Om Katare is known for fusing comedy with thought-provoking stories through his plays. Whether it is Hadh Kar Di Apne, Raavanleel a or Chinta Chhod Chintamani , the founder of Yatri Theatre has entertained the audiences with his Hindi productions that are peppered with liberal doses of humour. This time, his new production titled Ye Tera Dil-Ye Mera Dil...Ek Prem Gatha takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the concept of love.
Inspired by renowned author Harishankar Parsai’s novel Rani Nagfani Ki Kahani that was written almost three decades ago, Katare’s play revolves around a prince and a princess of a distant land. The duo meets for the first time atop a hill when both of them decide to commit suicide – the prince wants to end his life as he hasn’t been able to clear his exams despite four attempts. On the other hand, the princess, is disillusioned after repeated attempts at falling in love. However, their respective secretaries convince them to court each other, but their parents end up being at loggerheads. How true love prevails despite against all odds forms the crux of the plot.
Katare, who has previously adapted many of Parsai’s works, was enamoured by the plot’s satirical twist and decided to add his own touch. “Though the story has a universal appeal, we have set it against a Rajasthani background as it adds lots of colour to the story,” he says. “We have also presented it as a natya sangeet (a musical folktale) with live musicians and singers performing on stage.”
The thespian has also ensured the story’s satirical element has remained intact by staying true to Parsai’s story that makes a cheeky comment about the absurdities of various professionals. Katare narrates an instance from the play when the prince, upset about his parents’ opposition, meets a poet and artist to cheer him up. The poetry gives him a headache and the latter’s makes an artwork featuring his ladylove but the princess is invisible. “Later, he tells the prince that he has never held a brush but unleashes ants dipped in colours on the canvas and the end result is his painting,” says Katare. “Likewise, when a doctor comes to assess the prince, he is aware that the latter isn’t ill, yet he prescribes medicine as he wants to finish the leftover stock of meds.” Though the play was penned many years ago, Parsai had highlighted the idiosyncrasies of various professionals in his own way. “Surprisingly, nothing has changed in the society,” says the director. “Even today, many doctors, poets and artists enjoy tremendous respect when they aren’t true to their professions.”
Katare has not only written and directed the play, which is his theatre company’s 75th production, but is also acting in it as a sutradhar . “This character isn’t there in Parsai’s story but I have introduced him,” he says adding that his role primarily pokes fun at various characters in the plot and presents their true picture to the audience members.
Ye Tera Dil-Ye Mera Dil...Ek Prem Gatha stages onSeptember 8at Prithvi Theatre at 9 p.m. and on September 10 at the same venue at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
