IIT stories always sell well in India

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Director VIJAY Govind’s Ghashiram Kotwal inaugurated the sixth Rangayan Vasant Natyotsav, organised by the Academy of Theatre Arts of University of Mumbai, on March 21. Well-known director Waman Kendre is the director of the academy and has initiated this eight-day festival at the Mumbai University’s Kalina Campus. Day two of the festival showcased Feroz Abbas Khan’s Dinner with Friends.
The play was about four friends who were two married couples. Both the couples were shown at different ages and stages of their lives. Delhi-based director Bansi Kaul’s Tukke pe Tukka, staged on Wednesday, was based on elaborate research of traditional clown theatre of India. Performing techniques skills and principles of traditional clown’s theatre were engaged to express contemporary socio-political themes. A Gujarati play, Bhavai, was set in a religious background of the Ambaji temple near Mount Abu where the Navratri festival is celebrated with Bhavai performances. Directed by Nayak Madavlal Keshavlal, the play expressed subtle social criticism laced with pungent humour.
For those who have missed the above shows can still feel good as there are some well-acclaimed shows still waiting to unravel and Naseeruddin Shah’s Ek Shaam Ismat Apa Ke Naam is scheduled for Friday can vouch for it. Based on three selected stories of the famous Urdu writer, Ismat Chugtai, the play deals with the intense and hidden layers of issues women peel off in their day-to-day life.
The dance drama scheduled for Saturday, Enlightened One — Gautam Buddha, has been directed and choreographed by Dr Kanak Rele.
The festival will showcase two shows, back-to back, on Sunday. Aasamese play Gutti Phulor Gamusa by Bidyawati Phukan and Marathi play Ain Vasantat Ardhya Ratri by Milind Inamdar are expected to draw huge crowd. Written by Girish Karnad and directed by Alyque Padamsee, Broken Images will close the festival on March 28.

STORIES OF IITs have always sold well in India. After record-breaking success of Chetan Bhagat’s book Five Point Someone and Three Idiots, the storyline is all set to unleash its magic on the stage. The English play Five Point Someone — The Theatrical Adaptation by Evam, a group which works with the mission to support and enhance the creativity of theatre professionals, has been directed by Sunil Vishnu.
The show scheduled for March 27 will be staged at Epicentre, Gurgaon, at 5 pm and 8 pm.
“Five Point Someone is a story about the wonder years of college... of friendship, love and …grades. We have tried to keep the soul of Chetan’s book intact — identifiable characters, engaging, entertaining story and simple design — meant for all audiences, young and old. Though the story is set in IIT and it is about any Indian’s college life,” says Vishnu, the director of the play.