Monologues on love, loyalty and longing

A merry-go-round of relationships — proposal, acceptance, squabbles, betrayal and break up — was the theme canvassed in the sombre yet fascinating evening of

theatre

,

Masala Chai

. Adapted from excerpts from a book by

Divya Prakash Dubey

, the act featured

monologues

by Jay Jha, Sunjit Akkinepally and Surender Sahil Verma of Rangeen Sapney Theatre, who mesmerised the scarce yet sincere audience in Lamakaan with their splendid performances this Wednesday. Three unconnected stories, narrated by three unassociated men in three unrelated situations — this show portrayed their complicated relationships.

The last meeting
Heartbroken, he boarded the train to Lucknow after fulfilling his now ex-girlfriend’s wish — “pure ek din bitana hai ek dusre ke saath.” He knows it was his last meeting with the

love

of his life, Garima. She will be ‘kisi aur ka amanaat’ very soon. Recalling those bygone days — their first meeting, times they spent together, his enthusiasm, her passion, and at last, the hopelessness of their relationship, Jay Jha brought forth his vulnerable character beautifully. There were a few moist eyes too as he vented out his affliction with a quivering voice. It was difficult to consider it an act and not a true narrative of a heartbroken soul.

The virtual date
Sunjit Akkinepally played the part of a man who is being coerced into getting married by his mother and sister through a matrimonial site. As it happens, he eventually gives in and meets Mansi on the site and falls in love with this “perfect girl” only to lead to unexpected hurdles. Comparatively light-hearted his act had elements of fun and jest in it. Sunjit managed to pull off his part with finesse. Although there was little action within the character’s monologue, the sequence of events in the story kept the audience engrossed.

The risky relation
Surender Sahil Verma’s Hum Do Humara Ek revolved around his relationship with his bhabhi. The emotional bond they share is precarious and vulnerable — an ethical relationship which can be considered unscrupulous if it catches the attention of the gossip-mongers of the neighbourhood. Surender was artful in his narrative, especially in how much of the truth he revealed to the audience. He managed to be warm although low on sentiment, and brought an unmistakable depth to his narrative, making it highly engaging.