KARACHI: Students impress in display of budding thespian prowess
KARACHI, July 29: Students of the National Academy of Performing Arts put on an impressive display of their budding thespian skills on Saturday night at the Arts Council’s auditorium, performing a local adaptation of Mohan Rakesh’s play Adhe Adhure.
The play, winner of the Indian Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, was adapted for the local audience and directed by veteran actor Rahat Kazmi, who is also a Napa faculty member.
It focuses on the dysfunctional family life of one Mahinder Nath. Things are on a constant downward slide as Mahinder, who’s out of work, continuously bickers with his wife, who supports the family by working at an office.
Along with their three children they live a nightmarish life that is anything but the picture of middle class bliss. Their eldest daughter has run away from home and married the man of her choice, while their son is a good-for-nothing (though sharp-tongued) slob who seems to sleep all day and avoids anything even resembling work.
Things go from bad to worse as Mahinder Nath, tired of being blamed for his household’s predicament, ditches the family. As his friend Juneja visits the family to try and patch things up, facts about Mahinder’s abusive, wife-beating past emerge, as do questions about his wife’s fidelity.
The dénouement was anything but simple and perhaps as many good films/plays/books do, it left more questions than it answered.
As stated, the actors did a marvellous job and took to the stage as a duck takes to water. There were some awkward moments, where certain actors went a little over-the-top with their delivery or actions, or when the wife’s boss (a religious-looking seth) says namaste.
But overall it was a commendable effort. Technically, the transitions were smooth and the lighting was magnificent.
It is often said that there is a lack of training institutes in this country for those who wish to hone their skills in the performing arts. But if this performance was any indication, Napa might well be on its way to filling that vacuum.—QAM
KARACHI, July 29: Students of the National Academy of Performing Arts put on an impressive display of their budding thespian skills on Saturday night at the Arts Council’s auditorium, performing a local adaptation of Mohan Rakesh’s play Adhe Adhure.
