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Basheer tapestry: Sangathi Arinhya.

Although each story is distinctively different, they all have a common vein of love, humour and pathos running through them. They’re also held together by an unusual central character — Basheer himself — who plays narrator, participant and witness in turn.

The tapestry of stories begins with ‘Neela Velicham,’ in which Basheer rents a house to write, only to meet the spirit of a young girl who committed suicide in the garden well. It includes both flamboyant everyday people such as Abdul Khader, the overbearing trade unionist, and colourful mythical characters such as Aanavari, the Elephant Thief. And then there’s ‘The World Renowned Nose,’ a phantasmagorical story about a man with a long nose and Basheer’s strange encounters with mysterious travellers. The play is directed by Rajiv Krishnan and scripted by Paul Mathew.

The play is part of a festival to celebrate the centenary of the great Malayali writer called “‘Under the Mangosteen Tree.” It is presented by Perch, a Chennai-based performance collective.

The plays are being staged at the Museum Theatre, Egmore, from January 18 to 20, at 3:30 and 7:30 pm. And on January 24 to 26, at 7:30 pm. There is also a 3:30 pm show on January 25.

Tickets are priced at Rs 100 for the matinee show and Rs 200 and Rs 100 for the evening shows. They are available at Landmark outlets. For further details call 9884050504.

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