Recipe for good theatre
Pick a colourful historical character (preferably Tipu Sultan).
Get a renowned playwright to pen the script (preferably Girish Karnad).
ADVERTISEMENT
Bring in an outstanding cast.
Throw in some fabulous lighting and background music.
Add a shimmer with brilliant period costumes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Get a seasoned director (preferably Arundhati Raja) to blend it to perfection.
Serve at The Hindu Metroplus Theatre Fest 2012 and watch the awestruck audience savour it to the
last bite.
Elvis D’Cruz
10C, The Orchard, Mather, Vidyanagar
Back in time
In The Dreams of Tipu Sultan the stage was lit up with soft lights and the dark background with a picture was also lighted.
When the play started, I felt the characters were pushing me into history. I felt I was with them but unseen. The whole play was lovely and there was some nice music in between. I felt joy, sadness and patriotism and many other feelings which have no words. When the play was over I felt I came back in a time machine. It was indeed a nice experience.
Udisha Plakkot (VI-A, Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Giri Nagar)
6A, Cears mid town
K.P Vallon Road, Kadavanthara
The other side of Tipu
The play depicts the Sultan's dreams seen through the narrative of a historian. Set during the last days of his reign, Tipu Sultan is faced with the wrath of the British Raj. As the play progresses, we see a side to Tipu Sultan often overlooked- he wasn't only a king but a husband and a father as well.
While Tipu Sultan's journal seems a convenient narrative device, the play does effectively tell his story and a message. It also leaves the question of his competency as king open for debate. The play could be accessible to a larger audience, if the introduction of the characters was given more context.
Some minor audio issues were present- dialogues were occasionally inaudible due to the low volume of the microphones.
Excellent performances (notably Tipu Sultan) and a convincing ensemble of characters, makes this play a pleasurable experience.
Dr. Hormese Chakola
Kuriachira,
Thrissur
Shared history
Truth be told, I didn't know what to expect when we headed out to watch this play, but Abhijeet Shetty's powerful and majestic portrayal of a multifaceted, never before seen Tipu Sultan left us in awe.
The range of characters from the plotting British officers, to the duty bound princes, and even Tipu's Maratha counterparts, with their rich attire and outstanding performance, ave the audience a peek into a crucial time of our shared past. The events of which had repercussions in the decades that followed. In the end we left, sharing Tipu's dreams and wondering how things would have turned out if they did come true.
Though there was a short instance of inaudible lines during a portion of the play, that hardly bothered us since the lighting, sound and stage settings were excellent. Kudos to the cast and crew.
Sachin
Nellikkappillil House,
Mukootil Road,
Pettah,
Poonithura P.O.
The Winner
A document in history
Master playwright Girish Karnad’s play The Dreams of Tipu Sultan truly sketches the humane side of the warrior king. Jagriti’s presentation of the play, directed by Arundhati Raja, excelled in truly capturing the ethos, culture and temperament of the times. Unlike the historical representation of Tipu as a valiant king, here we see a troubled soul, ready to make compromises, and even send two of his own children as hostages. Abhijeet Shetty scored well in depicting the inner turmoil of the Mysore king. The costumes were most authentic and the props, though minimal, conveyed the sombre mood. The unvarying sober tone and treatment could have given in to a few lighter moments. It was a big cast and each of the actors fitted their roles to the T. The play could very well be a document in history, with a valid objective interpretation.
Sharath K.S.
Kalathiparambil House, Kumbalam