Direction : Bijesh Jayarajan Cast : Himanshu Tyagi
HINDI MEDIUM TIGHT Review
HINDI MEDIUM TIGHT, produced by You and Me Productions, and presented by Anurag Kashyap, is a solo performance adapted from Prabhat Ranjan's novel of the same name. Set in the world of Delhi University's Hindu College, the play explores student life and the social dynamics shaped by language, particularly the insecurities and experiences of students from Hindi-medium backgrounds.
Himanshu Tyagi begins by building the world of the story, setting the mood for the journey that follows. He brings the required innocence to his character, making the performance feel natural and believable. Although a book-based monologue can often feel like a reading, Tyagi manages to rise above that limitation and keeps the audience engaged. The pauses work effectively, and his use of the entire stage adds movement to the narration. Even while sipping water at the writing table, he holds the audience's attention.
What stands out is his restraint. He avoids caricaturing characters to showcase his acting abilities and instead gives dignity to the text, allowing the writer's words to take centre stage. Tyagi seems to have found the skin of the writer, making the narration convincing and effortless. His confident eye contact and seamless breaking of the fourth wall create a personal connection, making the audience feel as though the story is being narrated directly to them.
The design is smooth rather than tight, allowing the narration to flow naturally. In a solo performance, choreographing movement and using the actor's behaviour to narrate the story becomes particularly important. The direction serves this purpose without drawing unnecessary attention to itself. The lighting complements the performance, with apt use of colours and spotlights to distinguish scenes and support the changing moods of the narration. The editing deserves particular appreciation. Adapting a book into a stage monologue requires difficult choices about what to retain and what to leave out. Rather than including everything or unnecessarily stretching the text, the adaptation maintains a good balance. The actor's movements appear to be guided by the locations being narrated, helping the audience visualise the world of the story.
The attention to detail in the props adds to the characterisation. The shoes gifted by his father, retaining the brand mentioned in the book, and the box inside the stand are small but meaningful details. The collection of books, including works by Dario Fo and books on acting, also hints at the character's interests and personality without spelling everything out.
The writing and performance take the audience on a nostalgic journey through Hindu College and the streets of Delhi. The humour emerges organically from the situations rather than feeling forced or stretched. The romantic elements add another layer to the narrative, while Tyagi's recitation of poetry is particularly commendable. The play ends on a simple and sweet note. It does not necessarily leave you with a profound thought, but with the warmth of having listened to a friend recount his memories. Hindi Medium Tight is a light-hearted performance, ideal for a relaxed evening at the theatre.
Shashank Jadhav is a theatre practitioner, actor, writer, and director. He is the founder of Occipital Productions, under which he develops work across theatre and films.
