On a sweltering Monday morning, Prithvi Theatre at Juhu is abuzz with activity. Thirty five actors are busy rehearsing for Pinocchio, a new Hindi play, while writer Gulzar, director Salim Arif and costume designer-producer Lubna Salim are watching with rapt attention. Six actors from the troupe, who are doubling up as singers, are standing on one side of the stage and singing verses and songs, penned by Gulzar and composed by musician Sudeep Banerjee. Sixty minutes later, Arif calls for a break. The veteran director, who is known for exploring the nuances of human relationships in critically-acclaimed plays like Humsafar, Kharaashein, Kachche Lamhe and Aapki Soniya , is excited as his production Pinocchio is just days away from its grand première as part of Prithvi’s Summertime Festival.
Cultural icon
This is Arif’s third play for children. Earlier, he has helmed Agar Aur Magar (inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s He who says Yes and He who says No ) and Googli Jhanak Jhaayein (adapted from a short story Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne by Upendra Kishore Roychowdhury). This time, Gulzar and Arif (who have collaborated earlier) have decided to adapt Italian writer Carlo Collodi’s famous novel The Adventures of Pinocchio (1883). One of the most reimagined characters in children's literature, Pinocchio has been the protagonist of various cartoon series, animation films and in more recent times, (a 2014 South Korean television) mini-series in popular media.
Gulzar says, “ Pinocchio has been adapted in almost every language all over the world. But it was never done in Hindustani. It has immense potential to be staged as a play. It needed some amount of improvisation so that it suits the Indian milieu. So, I thought of making it as a musical.”
Working with kids
Whether it was writing lyrics and dialogues for Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland or for the children’s audiobook series Karadi Tales, the octogenarian writer has been closely involved with children’s literature. He confesses that whenever he writes for children, it’s a learning experience. “It’s very difficult to evoke imagery while writing for children as kids of different ages work on your mind and you have to appeal to each one of them. It’s tougher than penning something for adults, but I’ve always enjoyed writing for kids. You are learning from the child the language that he speaks. And then conversing with him in the same language. You have to become a child to understand his or her mind. So, you are not teaching but learning from them. Children are the biggest actors. They are imaginative and creative. They can imagine a cane as a horse or a piece of a paper as an aeroplane. We need to give them an incentive to use their imagination. Also, we have ensured that the verses or dialogues in Pinocchio aren’t preachy or didactic,” says Gulzar.
Arif couldn’t agree more. “You need to give certain cues to kids so that they use their imagination. You shouldn’t hand everything to them on a platter. You expose them to different things and it’s up to them how they interpret it and understand it.”
Musical approach
Rather than treating it as a simple children’s skit, the writer-director have adopted an innovative approach. The play is replete with a sutradhaar (narrator), live music and singing, well-choreographed dance sequences and dream-like sequences.
Arif adds that in India there is a common misconception that a children’s play or film can be a small-budget venture. “This play is more expensive than any of my other productions. You have to see what will appeal to a young mind. Then, you have to bear in mind the kind of exposure kids get nowadays thanks to technology. So, within these parameters, you can’t shortchange them. You have to be suggestive enough to ignite their imagination. And in such a scenario, budget can’t be a restraint.”
It’s been a dream come true for Shreya Acharya, who makes her debut on stage with Pinocchio. Asthe protagonist who transforms from a puppet into a boy, she had to ensure that she acts, sings, dances and emotes accordingly. The 12-year-old who was also one of the top six contestants in a dance reality show, says, “It was very difficult. I had to work hard on my pronunciation, as I’m not too fluent with Hindi. I used to repeat the verses and dialogues while going to sleep every night. But it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
Pinocchio will be staged on May 13 and 14 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Prithvi Theatre, more details at bookmyshow.com
