Theatre has been a part of human existence since time immemorial. While the literal definition of a theatre is a building or outdoor area in which plays and other dramatic performances are given, it goes without saying that a theatre is more than just a room with four walls, but a means of expressing creativity and emotion.
On the occasion of World Theatre Day 2023, Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts in association with Abhivyaktee – Panaji is presenting a theatre production titled Aadimaya.
The programme will commence at 7 pm and will be staged over two consecutive days – March 27 and 28, 2023.
Inspired by the current situation surrounding the Mhadei River, which is considered a primary source of water in Goa, Aadimaya invites a contemplation on the cultural aspects of this water body.
This performance presents selected monologues from various plays of different periods where women act as central figures, while also inquiring into the relationship between the characters and the river’s symbolic and mystical nature.
Aadimaya is a show not to miss, with choreography by Prerna Palekar and music design and direction by Dr Saish Deshpande.
Characters in their order of appearance:
1. Aadimaya – This is the stock character representing the Mother Creator from the earliest ritualistic theatre form of Goa, the 'Perni Jagar'. She nurtures life and empowers all five elements.
Performed by Prashanti Talpankar
2. Sankasur – The representative of common man from 'Kaalo', the traditional theatre form of Goa. He often asks doubts and speaks for the common man in the local dialect.
Performed by Raghuvir Goveka
3. Benare – from 'Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe!' ('Silence! The court is in session!'). Her monologue is considered a profound statement for women who are betrayed, abused and blamed by society for their 'unwomanly' conduct.
The play is a part of the New Indian Drama movement of the 1960s and the first significant modern Indian play in any language to focus on a woman as protagonist and victim.
Playwright: Vijay Tendulkar
Performed by Anuja Purohit
Language: Marathi
9. Pratima – This lyrical piece from the modern Indian play 'Pratima Ek Geet' is about the self-realisation of the protagonist, Pratima, and her subsequent journey towards seeking an identity.
Playwright: Vivek Garud
Hindi translation: Pratibha Deshpande
Narration: Anagha Deshpande
Performed by Prerna Palekar
Language: Marathi and Hindi
4. Nora – from ‘A Doll’s House’ published in Norwegian as 'Et Dukkehjem' in 1879. The play is an example of realism in theatre, specifically a realistic prose drama which probed the problems of the social passivity assigned to women in a male-oriented society. It is a play in three acts by Henrik Ibsen
Translated into English by William Archer
Performed by Yashila Lobo
Language: English
5. Medea – The central character from the Greek classic 'Medea', who challenges the gender and social norms of her time and exposes society and human nature.
She is truly a tragic heroine and a symbol of feminine revolt that depicts the ability of emotion to make a woman do things she would normally not do. A play by Euripides (c 480–c 406 BCE), translated by George Theodoridis.
Marathi translation: Sadanand Rege
Performed by Laxmi Mahatme-Satordekar
Language: Marathi
6. Fatima – This character from the tiatr 'Chuk' seeks her happiness after sacrificing all her desires for the sake of her family.
The monologue includes a ‘cant’ (song sung by the character) which is the feature of tiatr, the traditional theatre form of Goa.
Playwright: Avinash Chari
Performed by Genevieve Rodrigues
Language: Konkani
7. Hidimba – A poetic soliloquy of this tribal woman that brings to us the warmth of family relationship, the exploitation of human sentiments in a highly dramatic situation amidst war.
This piece from the classical Indian play 'Madhyam Vyayog' is set to the backdrop of incidents of the great epic Mahabharata.
Poet: Mahakavi Bhasa (c 322 BCE)
Hindi Transcription: Prof Waman Kendre
Performed by Sobita Kudtarkar
Language: Hindi
8. Mariyan – The character from the Konkani play 'Suring' (written in 1982) strongly speaks against class dominance.
The narration depicts the conditions of labourers and the exploitation of road-construction women.
Playwright: Pundalik Narayan Naik
Performed by Gauri Kamat
Language: Konkani
10. Angela – A monologue by the central character from the play 'Yatra' which is the Hindi adaptation of ‘The Road to Mecca’. Angela speaks about her journey through her own path towards gratification and fulfilment.
The character was inspired by the story of Helen Martins, who lived in Nieu-Bethesda, Eastern Cape, South Africa, and created The Owl House, which is now a national heritage site.
Playwright: Athol Fugard
Hindi transcription: Saish Deshpande
Performed by Dr Ramita Gurav
Language: Hindi
11. Vruddh – The epilogue from the 1953 verse play 'Andha Yug' comments on the futility of war and man’s quest for power.
Composed as part of the Theatre of Roots movement which started in Indian theatre in the 1950s, the play is a metaphoric meditation on the politics of violence and aggressive selfhood and dehumanised individuals.
Written by novelist, poet and playwright Dharamvir Bharati
Performed by Raghuvir Govekar
Language: Hindi
DETAILS
WHEN: March 27 and 28, 2023
WHERE: Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim - Goa
TIME: 7 pm onwards
ENTRY: Open to all (Prior registration is required at Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, Panjim)