Commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Women's Christian College brought to life the plays “Someday” by Drew Hayden Taylor and “Chandalika” by Tagore, both directed by Dr. P.Rajani. Running for three days, the plays lived up to the theatre tradition of the college.
Intense
“Someday”, set in the 1990s, though told through fictional characters and full of Taylor's distinctive wit and humour, is based on the real-life tragedies suffered by many native Canadian families. Inspired by the “scoop up” of the 1960s in Canada, Anne Wabung has waited with hope and longing for 35 years for the return of her baby Grace, who was taken away as a toddler.
Christmas time that year, her prayers seem to have been answered. A call from her long lost daughter rejuvenates her hope and their forthcoming encounter animates her no end. Preparing for the festive season with fathomless cheer, Anne awaits the moment that Grace returns home. When all seems poised for a happy reunion, things take a different turn, making “Someday” an entertaining, humorous, and spirited play that packs an intense emotional wallop.
“Chandalika”, based on a Buddhist legend, portrays the stark reality of society. Prakriti, a young girl from the lower strata of society, the Chandalinis (untouchables), encounters a disciple of Lord Buddha, a monk by the name Ananda. He shows her kindness and teaches her that all human beings are equal.
Prakriti moved by his gesture, loses her heart to him. Her desire to possess the monk tempts her to compel her mother to cast a spell on him to lure him to her. The spell proves too strong for Ananda to fight against, transforming his essence to that of an impious being.
The ensuing conflict between her mind and her passionate longings for the monk, forces Prakriti to make a decision that irrevocably shatters her life.
Well crafted
The two plays were executed with immense craftsmanship. The actors lost themselves in the act and captivated the audience. The dialogues were verbose and delivered with aplomb.
Let's not forget the efforts of the crew. The sets and props were crafted beautifully, right from the walls with portraits to the stuffed Christmas turkey in “Someday” and the windows to the magic mirror and ingredients of the spell casting in “Chandalika”.
The lights and sounds were on cue and the costumes and make up depicted the trend prevalent in that age.
The plays did deviate minutely from the works of Taylor and Tagore, but in essence remained just the same. The house was packed with friends, families, well wishers and fans, making the event quite a success.
Shweta is a III year B.Sc. ISM student of M.O.P. Vaishnav College For Women.
