The Hindu : International / India & World : A `Hinglish' play in Singapore

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Sunday, Nov 07, 2004

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International - India & World

A `Hinglish' play in Singapore

By P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, NOV. 6. A popular theatre comedy in `Hinglish' — a pleasing blend of English and Hindi — has been staged successfully here. The third and final show in the series, organised by Arte Compass, is scheduled for tomorrow.

Ashvin Gidvani's ``Funny Thing Called Love,'' directed by Bharat Dabholkar, is presented in the city-state's multi-cultural ambience by Citibank NRI Business. The play had a successful run at the West End in London from April 15 to May 30.

For Arte Compass, a Singapore-based event management company that specialises in presenting and promoting India's classical and contemporary fine arts in an international setting, the staging of the play marks an important line of activity. Shankar Mahadevan's `Shraddha' — a ``fusion of Indian and Western music'' — heralded the advent of Arte Compass here on April 12, 2003. It was followed by ``Soft Notes'' of ghazals by Pankaj Udhas last November, and ``Mandolin Classic,'' a charity concert, by U. Shrinivas and U. Rajesh, on April 10 this year.

A ``rib-tickling entertainer,'' the ``Funny Thing Called Love'' is replete with ``warm feelings of family attachment,'' according to the organisers. The story involves the young couple, Melwyn D'Costa and Anushka Desai, who learn the inevitable lesson that true love has never been easy, either in the legends or, indeed, in the real world. As the two encounter challenges in an otherwise peaceful and caring home environment, humorous situations unfold in an audience-friendly way.

An adapted version of the late Vasant Kanetkar's original Marathi play (`Prema Tusha Ranga Kasa?'), the ``Funny Thing Called Love'' has evolved into a relevant contemporary comedy. Bharat Dabholkar has given his production a generous dose of humour, laced with songs and broadsides, without jettisoning the spirit and substance of the original.

The cast here include personalities from Mumbai's television, theatre and film domains — Vijoo Khote, Bharti Acharekar, Liladhar Kambli, Kranti Redkar, Shivani Tanksale, Shreyas Talpade and Pushkar Shrotri, among others.

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A `Hinglish' play in Singapore