Play Review: Haaye Haaya

Rating: ***
Cast: Turna, Sampurna, Ashok, Nabanita, Anujoy
Director: Sohag Sen
Production: Ensemble

Ensemble's HaayeHaaya — which compiles the Sabhaparba from Mahabharata, MaheswetaDevi'sDraupadi and the tale of a rape victim — is a commentary on the treatment of women in India. Director Sohag Sen, who's known for portraying naked truths of society in her productions, leafs through history as well as current affairs to assemble this play.
While there isn't much to be written about the set design -only a handful of boxes are strewn across an almost empty stage -the innovative manner in which props are introduced and utilized in the play is interesting. The rattling noise of dice to count precious seconds during the

paashakhela in Mahabharata is soundly presented.
Although the production is made up of three stories, it's the depiction of Dopdi's plight which affects the most. SampurnaChakraborty effectively supports Dopdi in her journey from the muri-gobbling fugitive to the appalling symbol of valour. The discipline with which she delivers a tribal woman's body language and diction is praiseworthy . The climax of Devi's story , however, could have been handled better -the shock and shame which envelops all when an object of desire 'un-veils' herself isn't achieved.
Turna Das shines through and through as Draupadi -the scene in which she boldly utters her first “Na" been well executed with muted lights and silent background score.
The protagonist of the modernday story, however, appears almost at the very end, and only to `support' history (she doubles up as a pillar during the Sabhaparba), shed some tears and waltz into the dusk with her lover! Needless to say, the dance sequence at least was entirely avoidable. Also, the audio-visual presentation in the end -showing natural disasters and the aftermath of the Uttarakhand flash floods -doesn't serve much purpose.
Despite the rather abrupt climax, the production manages to uphold the pride and honour of women. The import of the play's powerful title, however, remains unrealized.

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