SYNOPSIS
In an age of increasing communalism and casteism, when violence
is becoming a norm rather than an aberration, MAHADEVBHAI
(1892-1942) is a reminder of a healthy tradition that is
slowly being obliterated by the devices of deep hatred and
prejudice.
The play is based on the daily diary that Mahadev Desai,
secretary and onlooker to Gandhiji, maintained during the
period 1917 to 1942, in which he jotted down the innumerable
letters to and by Gandhiji, as well as conversations and
bantering, lectures and discourses. All of this made Mahadevbhai
a key witness to Gandhiji, besides proving Mahadevbhai's
own commitment to Satyagraha and the struggle for independence.
The form chosen is of lively storytelling, interspersed
with humour, as one actor plays out various historical characters
like Gandhiji, Mahadevbhai, Nehru, Patel and Ambedkar, among
others. Besides the obvious historical happenings, there
is an attempt to contextualise the freedom movement and
the birth of the democratic nation, with events in contemporary
India.
As part of producer-performer Jaimini Pathak's aim to reach
out to an audience of young people, he is taking the play
to school and college students. In a lighter vein, he says,
“I want them to know, before it is too late, that
History didn't begin with satellite television coming to
India!”
Writer and director Ramu Ramanathan has attempted “to
take strength from the processes of the past.” He
states, “I am wearing my heart on my sleeve... the
fact that we have amnesia about this past is frightening.”
MAHADEVBHAI (1892-1942) attempts to remind us of the times
that were and create a show that is as captivating as the
men and women themselves.
| Credits |
| Research
and Music Design |
Kinnari
Vohra |
| Set
Design |
Nikhil
Khadilkar and Vinesh Iyer |
| Lights |
Suruchi
Aulakh |
| Sound |
Avafrin
Mistry |
| Production |
Hrishikesh
Dutt Majumder |
| Backstage |
Tushar
Guha |
| Publicity
Design |
Special
Effects |
Contact:
Jaimini Pathak – 98200 77429
e-Mail: jaiminiacts@yahoo.com |
