Modi-jibe play picked for Theatre Olympics

Kolkata: The prestigious Theatre Olympics being hosted next year by the government of India has invited a play that is a veiled critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Koushik Sen’s ‘Nirbhoya’ has a dialogue stating that if the country runs well, it doesn’t need anyone to gloat about his 56-inch chest.
Some might see the inclusion of ‘Nirbhoya’ as a sign of freedom of expression.Others believe Sen’s screenplay might have got clearance because the selectors didn’t understand the connection when an actor says lines such as: “Just this — whenever you hear tall talk about love for the country, know that something’s amiss. Patriotism’s throat is parched like a desert...hence pour patriotism-milk down its throat! If everything was well in the country, who would need the 56-inch chest? Any skinny chap would’ve done just fine.”
Since a subtitled screenplay was submitted to the selection panel in advance, it wouldn’t be fair to assume the selectors didn’t understand the nuances because of a language issue.
Sen, however, said those who picked the play don’t suffer from political interference. “On November 22, I received a letter from NSD director Waman Kendre stating that the selection committee had selected our play. The selectors were from the theatre world and believe in freedom of expression. I am lucky to have scraped through,” Sen said. Incidentally, ‘Nirbhoya’ is an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Mother Courage’. Even the Kashmir and Manipur issues have been brought into the adaptation.
The play, starring Sen, was first staged on May 29.
Asked what if he was asked to remove reference to the 56-inch chest, Sen said he would never make the compromise. “Ever since demonetisation and the surgical strike, the BJP government is making an overt attempt to whip up the nationalist spirit. Pakistani artistes are getting banned. Even artistes like Paresh Rawal are making statements that show they are losing their sensibility. When I see all this around me, I know this play has to be shown in this format,” Sen said.