Review

AAZAR KA KHWAB

Direction : Atul Tiwari
Writer : Qudsia Zaidi
Cast : Students of Academy of Theatre Arts, University of Mumbai

AAZAR KA KHWAB Play Review


Deepa Punjani



 AAZAR KA KHWAB Review

The three-day Qudsia Zaidi Centenary Festival (17th-19th 2015) at the NCPA was a small but a delightful affair. It showcased three adaptations/translations by the leading lady of Hindustani theatre alongside an exhibition that traced some of the highlights of her work in theatre and literature, for adults as well as children. Begum Qudsia Zaidi adapted George Bernard Shaw's PYGMALION in 1956 around the same time Allan J Learner was making the musical MY FAIR LADY based on the play in London. The new production, directed by Atul Tiwari in collaboration with the students of the Theatre Arts department at Mumbai University, with musician Kuldip Singh and choreographer Pooja Pant, is a reaffirmation of this remarkable piece of trivia. Begum Zaidi's adaptation while faithful to the original play is rooted in its own, distinct cultural milieu and has a lively spirit.



In an earlier conversation at Prithvi Theatre that preceded the festival, Atul Tiwari spoke of Begum Zaidi's sensitivity to her text. Her heroine 'Hajjo' could not be a flower-girl like 'Eliza' in the original play. Hajjo therefore sells amrood (guavas) as would be familiar in the bazaars of old Delhi. Atul Tiwari has also ventured to make 'some edits and additions' as he explains in his director's note. A bathroom scene is introduced. Apparently Shaw had intended the scene and some others too, but had not included them in his own staging. In Mr Tiwari's production, the scene is worked out well.

A young and an energetic bunch of actors take wing under Mr Tiwari's direction. With a simple yet imaginative stage design, manouevered by the actors in the chorus, and befitting each scene, the familiar story of the talented but curmudgeonly professor and his ward takes off. Shaw's PYGMALION was meant as a critique of the British class system and Shaw guarded his heroine's independence. He was firm that Eliza Doolittle, his heroine could never marry Professor Henry Higgins although much to his consternation Herbert Beerbohm Tree changed that in his 1914 production of the play with Higgins tossing a bouquet to Eliza from his window. Devoid of the irony that Shaw had implied, the popular musical versions can appear immensely problematic and that is why it is necessary to watch them as a passing amusement. It was also clearly the intent.

Like Tree, Begum Zaidi also chooses to allude to their marriage. But at the same time, she decides to tease her audience. We are left guessing whom her heroine will choose among her suitors, which include the Professor, or whether she will choose at all. The musical ends on this wavering but celebratory, high note. Hajjo has graduated to being the sophisticate Hajra Begum; she has passed her tests, has grown close to the Professor (Aazar), but also makes sure that she will not accept being humiliated. It may be interesting to note Hajra Begum's stand in the context and the time in which Begum Zaidi wrote her adaptation- while she weeps, she also berates the Professor in equal breath and never loses her dignity.

The main cast does well and the chorus fulfils its role with flourish. The songs and dances between the scenes are timed. Atul Tiwari has written fresh songs corresponding with the episodes- this is one of the main highlights of the production combined with music by Kuldip Singh, who is accompanied by Amber on the harmonium and Dnyaneshwar Dore on the dholak. Pooja Pant's choreography is apt. The costumes by Richa Sharad are also appropriate right down to the footwear. This is a lovely, homegrown musical, initiated by the efforts of a fine lady, and improved upon by Mr Tiwari's charming interventions.

Deepa Punjani is the Editor of this website.

read / post your comments


   Discussion Board




Schedule


Theatre Workshops
Register a workshop | View all workshops

Subscribe


About Us | Feedback | Contact Us | Write to us | Careers | Free Updates via SMS
List Your Play