O ne of the important aspects of nationalism is the strong sense of patriotism, leading to a belief that you protect a land that is yours.
But, what happens when you do not have this ‘identity’? You become as frantic as Bhisan Singh – the protagonist of the play: Maan-E-Maanto ( Toba Tek Singh Ek Alag Andaz Mein ).
The play was performed by Anuraag Puthige – theatre artiste at Atta Galatta, Koramangala last weekend.
The plot is set in post-Independent India. Amidst the muddle associated to the formation of new nations is Bhisan Singh searching for his home.
In Bhisan, Anurag showed the pain and anger of an old man, distraught in the search for his home.
The pathos evoked was immense. The chaos of Partition showed how geography had the potential to re-write history and encompass changes that are beyond a person’s ability to grasp.
The sensitivity of religious identity also came into play.
The climax is reached when it is revealed that Bhisan’s much searched for ‘Toba Tek Singh’, is no man’s land.
The idea of Toba Tek Singh as a concept was enlightening as it made the arbitrariness and incomprehensibility of Partition seem more real.
This, followed by the finale was particularly poignant as Anurag recited Rabindranath Tagore’s famous verse, ‘Where The Mind Is Without Fear. Anurag steered the play single-handedly, 12 characters – all of who were finely etched and subject to their individual traumas.
When asked about the challenges he faced, Anurag answered, “once you understand the characters, stepping into their shoes makes you understand what each of them go through.
In this case, the 12 characters are the 12 perspectives given to the audience and each character comes with its own difficulty.”
The emotional depth was conveyed through powerful dialogues and clever interpretation of each character.
