Theatre Review: Sakubai

Play: Sakubai
Director: Nadira Babbar
Duration: 90 minutes
Cast: Sarita Joshi
Language: Hindi
Rating: 3.5
Whether you’re a working woman, homemaker or bachelor trying to survive in the chaotic city that is Mumbai, she’s an important part of your life and in most cases, people just can’t do without her. We’re talking about the house help, or the good ol’ Indian bai. Drama veteran Nadira Babbar has, in her own way, romanticised the house help in 'Sakubai', a play she has written and directed.It sees Sarita Joshi, who has been a driving force in Gujarati and Marathi theatre, in the lead.
In this monoact, which had its first staging way back in 1999, Sakubai, a quintessential Mumbaikar maid, gives us a sneak-peek into a day in her life. Though she talks about the most mundane happenings, she eventually strikes a chord with the audiences and ends up sharing the most personal and intimate experiences of her eventful life.
When two experienced theatre personalities and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardees come together for a play, you expect sparks on the stage. 'Sakubai' doesn’t disappoint, in most parts. It begins on a very routine note — Saku introduces us to her life and discusses all things trivial. She gossips, just like you would expect your bai to!
The start is a little slow but once Joshi gets into her element, there’s no stopping her. She has a strong presence on stage, but it’s her effervescent energy at 75 that sets her apart from other artistes. If she brings forth pathos in the most understated way, she simultaneously lends a very childlike innocence, to her character.
The downside of the play is that it conforms to stereotypes and is formulaic, especially when Sakubai gets serious and talks about experiences that haunt her — rape, her husband’s affair etc. Still, this is definitely worth
a watch, for Joshi’s crackling performance.