Ismat Apa is back on stage

BANGALORE: Read Ismat Chughtai and you are sure to feel the reverberations of her profound conviction, even radicalism, as some would like to call it, that were far ahead of her time. In fact, even Bangalore's techizens connect with this legendary writer of the 1930s and '40s. And it is these urban pros who are welcoming her back to the city.
Director Naseeruddin Shah, wife Ratna Pathak Shah and Heeba Shah are in Bangalore on demand, to perform `Ismat Apa Ke Naam', once more.Surprisingly, it's the youth who also made it happen __ strangely, this Hindustani play, based on short stories of an Urdu writer born in 1915, can still pull a crowd of all ages.
Naseeruddin is more than happy to be back in the city to perform his mischievous tongue-in-cheek version of the `Gharwali' once again.
It's the same three short stories but "every performance is a new experience for us," says the actor. The trio will perform at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall on Thursday. Excerpts from an interview:
Q: What do you think about theatre in Bangalore?
A: Bangalore has always been a good experience for me. It has a niche audience. The last time we staged the play here in 2009, the response was the best across the country, even better than in Hyderabad, that has a larger Muslim population.
What was most memorable last time?
Frankly, we had expected a crowd of Muslims and senior people. But, we were overwhelmed when many young people turned up. No doubt, Ismat Chugtai is a writer considered ahead of her time. I am convinced through these experiences that her stories are still relevant. Language and religion are no barrier when it comes to theatre.
Why did you choose Ismat again?
She was considered ahead of her time. These three short stories are my first and only readings of Ismat Chugtai. Unfortunately, I discovered her works only when I turned 50. Even then, it was through English translations. Being a student of English literature, I had a tendency to look down at works in my own language. Now I realise the mistake.
How do you gauge works of Muslim writers in the Indian context, especially after 26/11?
I see a healthy trend now. The tragic indiscriminate killing of the public has resulted in uniting them.
Plans ahead: theatre or films?
It's hard to limit. I plan to do more than one production a year. But, I want to take a break. Theatre is any day my forte and I owe a lot to it. As a child, I was troubled and insecure, but theatre gave me a new experience. It's the living contact for me.
Will it mean more of Ismat?
(Laughs) Yes, and others as well. We are working on three other stories of hers. It will first be staged in Mumbai in May-June and hopefully, also in Bangalore. I am also working on `Walk in the Woods', an American play adaptation and `Arms and the Man' for children.