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Powerful and provocative

Asif Currimbhoy's play explores the concepts of nationality and independence

ASKING RELEVANT QUESTIONS From "Goa"

For director Shuktara Lal of the Theatrecian repertory, "Goa" is a very special play. Not only is she drawn to the theme, but also to the form. Flowing on parallel tracks, the script unfolds two sets of action simultaneously on the stage, involving two sets of people. To keep them distinct and yet have one highlight the other cannot but be a challenging directorial task.

Another reason for her interest was that playwright Asif Currimbhoy had been published by her grandfather P. Lal in Writers' Workshop, his unique and personalised publishing house in Kolkata.

The play shows Goa just before and soon after it becomes part of India in 1961. The complex colonised region and its absorption into the Indian nation are visualised in the interactions of officials and men in power. But at the same time, we see how this political situation has an impact on the lives of ordinary citizens, in this case a prostitute, her daughter Rose, and their respective lovers. The mother's lover symbolises the Portuguese conqueror, while Krishna is India who wants to swallow Goa, depicted as the young, vulnerable Rose.

In Theatrecian's over 25 plays in the last five years, the first two were scripted by group member Tathagata Chowdhury, who is also the producer of "Goa". The third was Karnad's "Hayavadana". This was followed by mainly European drama. This English theatre repertory in Kolkata returns to an Indian text once again with Currimbhoy.

Paradoxically, Currimbhoy has been performed more outside India. "Goa" was premiered in Michigan (1965) and later staged on Broadway. Currimbhoy's other plays are as provocative as "Goa". "Inquilab" depicted the Naxalite movement, "Om Mane Padme Hum" showed the Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet, while "Sonar Bangla" had the Bangladesh war for backdrop. But they are not easily available in bookshops. Theatrecian members found it impossible to read the playwright's other works to get a better understanding of his style.

Except for three actors, the rest are college students in the young "Goa" team. The 12 characters cover a wide gamut from smuggler and bar tender to vicar and civil administrator. Nor is the Hindu Goan left out.

GOWRI RAMNARAYAN

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