Journey of life
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Abhinaya will stage ‘Sidhartha’ at the Villeneuve en Scene, Avignon, France. Saraswathy Nagarajan
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River of life: ‘Sidhartha’ is the stage adaptation of Herman Hesse’s novel.
“It is a shot in the arm for those working in theatre, especially contemporary theatre, in Kerala,” says D. Reghoothaman, founder-director of Abhinaya. The theatre group is perhaps the first from Kerala to be invited for th
e Villeneuve en Scene (Villeneuve-les-Avignon) to be held at Avignon, France, from July 6 to 22.
The theatre festival in Avignon is one of the oldest theatre festivals in the world.
Slice of world theatre
“It was started in 1947 by a famous French actor Jean Vilar. The annual festival in July transforms the city and its outskirts into a huge stage with plays being staged in theatres, halls and in the streets. Language is not a problem as plays from all over the world are staged during this festival. Spectators get to see a slice of world theatre,” explains Jose-Marie Cortes, Director of Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum.
Abhinaya will stage an adaptation of Herman Hesse’s novel ‘Sidhartha.’ “We had staged it for John Kilby, the director of Footsbarne when they visited Thiruvananthapuram in 2005. It was he who took the iniative to invite us to the festival,” says the director of the play M.G. Jyotish.
He adds that the deeply philosophical play is one of his favourite works that has also influenced him a great deal. ‘“Siddharatha,’ a stylised adaptation of Hesse’s novel, deals with a man’s search for wisdom and his journey towards self-realisation. His friend Govinda finds salvation after he meets the Buddha. But Sidharatha’s journeys through emotional terrain such as romance, lust and greed for money leave him exhausted and cynical. Finally, it is a humble ferryman who makes him aware of the wisdom within him and that is when he is enlightened,” explains Jyotish.
According to Jyotish, the theme of Sidhartha erases language and cultural barriers. “All of us are on a quest; it is the goal that differs. However, our upbringing, cultural perceptions, ideology and prejudices play an important role in choosing the path that we take to reach our destination. The play is about these routes taken by Sidhartha and how he realises the futility of the different paths he has chosen without trying to listen to his conscience.”
Reghoothaman dons the lead role of Sidhartha. “Life comes full circle at certain stages in our life. I have experienced this and so I feel I can portray the angst and anguish of Sidhartha’s quest. I have been able to feel the character in body and mind.”
The voice within
The play shows Vasudevan, a boatman, helping Sidhartha cross a river to begin his quest for truth. Finally, he reaches the same river and it is the same Vasudevan who advises him to listen to the flow of the river and to the inner voice in him and that is how Sidhartha reaches the culmination of his quest.
Sparse dialogues and clever use of props and stage have made this play a much sought after one in India.
C.S. Deepan, an alumnus of the School of Drama, Thrissur, has written the script for the play and has also designed the costumes, sets and props. The dances have been choreographed by Madhu of Samudra.
‘Sidhartha’ has been staged in almost all the major theatre festivals in India except the annual national theatre festival that is held in Kerala.
It will be staged at Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on June 24.
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