A gripping solo performance that has been touring the world for the past 16 years,
Ek Mulaqat Manto Se
had its Bengaluru premiere in the summer of 2018. Based on the controversial texts and articles by Partition-era writer
Saadat Hasan Manto
, the play — conceived and performed by acclaimed stage and screen actor
Ashwath Bhatt — is set to take the stage at
Jagriti Theatre
on December 22 and 23 (3 pm and 6.30 pm).
In the play, Ashwath assumes the role of Manto, who seems to be grappling with the question: ‘Why I write what I write?’. The actor travels back and forth in time, delving deeper into Manto’s psyche — essaying his stark experiences of controversies, prosecution, being broke, depression, alcoholism and moral decay — in the 60-minute act.
Presented by Collective Madness, in collaboration with Theatre Garage Project, the Hindi-Urdu performance features texts such as Manto, Main Afsana Kyun Kar Likhta Hoon, Khol Do, Kal Sawere Jo Meri Ankh Khuli and Deewaroon Pe Likhna, as well as a couplet by Daagh Dehlvi and
Begum Akhtar
ghazals.
Jagriti was recently forced to cancel shows of a play, after right-wing groups found its title and plot disrespectful towards religious sentiments. The incident raised concerns over artistic freedom.
Sharing his thoughts on this, Ashwath says, “Most people who protest have never read the book or watched the film or play they are raising their voice against. As a society, we lack the inclination and patience to have a discourse or even listen to each other. Having said that, Manto’s writings become more relevant now, as the hypocrisy and ironies he spoke about before and after Independence still continue to plague our minds.”
Also known for his extensive work in red-nose clowning, Ashwath will be seen in Bengaluru-based playwright-director Abhishek Majumdar’s upcoming play
The Djinns of Eidgah. Meanwhile, his other projects include Anurag Singh-directorial
Kesari and a web series, titled Leila, which is being directed by Deepa Mehta, Shankar Raman and Kannada filmmaker Pawan Kumar.
(Pics: Karan Zadoo)
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