![Shilpi Marwaha]() | Subject: Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions directed by Arvind Gaur on 3rd July at IHC Asmita Summer Theatre Festival 2010
Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions on 3rd July,7.30 pm at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road,
Starring -Susan Brar, Viren Basoya, Bajrang Bali Singh, Shilpi Marwaha,Vrinda Vedi, Pooja Pradaan, Disha Arora ,music by Dr.Sangeeta Gaur,translation by Shahid Anwar ,Directed by Arvind Gaur
Director's note -'Final Solutions' touches us, and the bitter realities of our lives so closely that it becomes a difficult play to handle for the Indian Director.The past begins top determine the outlook of the present and thus the earlier contradictions re-emerge.No concrete solutions are provided in the play to the problem of communalism but it raises questions on secularism and pseudo secularism. It forces us to look at ourselves in relation to the attitudes that persist in the society.
Since it is an experiment in time and space and relates to memory, it is a play, which involves a lot of introspection on the part of the characters in the play and thus induces similar introspection in the viewers. I have attempted to experiment with the chorus.It has been used in a style, which I would like to call 'realistic stylisation'.The chorus represents the conflicts of the characters.Thus the chorus is a sense is the psycho-physical representation of the characters and also provides the audience with the visual images of the characters' conflicts. There is no stereotyped use of the characterisation of the chorus because communalism has no face,it is an attitude and thus it becomes an image of the characters.
The sets and properties used in the play are simple. This has been done to accentuate the internal conflicts and the subtext of the play. Theatre for 'Asmita' and me is
a method of reflection, understanding and debating the contemporary socio-political issues through the process of the play. We hope the play will also have a lasting impact on the audience.
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CRITICS SAY
With the screaming, stomping, sinister mob in the
background of this high charged interplay, we have a
dramatically explosive play on boards.Arvind Gaur pitched and kept the action at a level on high tension.
- Kavita Nagpal (Hindustan Times)
A show not to be missed.What a beautiful play beautifully translated and beautifully directed.The play holds a mirror to the society we live in.
- Romesh Chander (Hindu)
Something to reflect upon… Asmita production is simple and intense.The play is powerful, the production is intense, the subject difficult,the response good, something you can take home and think about
- Smita Narula (Pioneer)
Mahesh Dattani's 'Final Solutions' is that rare look at a
socio-political problem that defies all final solutions.Arvind Gaur's competent direction.intense,topical and artistically mounted,Asmita's 'Final Solutions' brought back memories of Habib Tanvir's rendition of 'Jis Lahore nahi Dekhya' and Saeed Mirza's 'Naseem.
- Nikhat Kazmi (Times of India)
On a more contemporary note, Mahesh Dattani's FINAL SOLUTIONS directed by Arvind Gaur easily stood out as one of the few truly satisfying experiences of this eleven day treat (9th national theatre festival,Nehru Centre(Mumbai) for the senses. As the dramatic tension (neatly orchestrated by a chorus) rises in the play,the subterranean psyche of each character is laid bare. Abuses are hurled, raw passions are evoked, attempts at reconciliation are made and prejudices and fears are acknowledged The beauty of the script indeed lies in its ability to relentlessly and sensitively question. Its urgent need to use 'dialogue' as a remedy for a socially pressing issue such as communalism, is the play's underlying theme.
Arvind Gaur's direction is commendable. While the front of the stage is peopled by the principal characters who are psychologically exorcizing themselves, the back part of the stage has a chorus whose role is as symbolic as it is instrumental in furthering the action in the play when required.
In Retrospect: Select plays of the 9th National Theatre Festival,Nehru Centre , Mumbai ....
-Deepa Punjani |
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