Campus Central

Uncivilised Daughters, a play by Abhivyakti- the theatre society of Maitreyi College

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

They talk about freedom, they talk about expression, they talk about creation and they talk about celebration. They sin and shake the foundations of society’s very being. They are Abhivyakti, the theatre society of Maitreyi College. Uncivilised Daughters, an annual production of the year 2016-17 marks the meaning of this society. To begin the journey of this year, Abhivyakti showcased their production on 2nd September at Akshara Theatre.

The play began with classic brashness, breaking the rules of a woman’s civility. The rustic opening with a gibberish song was more than appealing to a great number of audience. This scene is a story in itself, a story untold. With Rashi Sharma playing the violin, Shriya tandon leading the background with the subtle tune of harmonium and Shivani Behl creating an aura of awe from beats of the djembe, the play makes a man get inside a different world, an unimaginable world.

The first scene in the order is the make-up scene. How beautiful is this world of plastic? How sensational is the world of make-up? Let’s set some standards of beauty. Maybe that will help ? This, is what is mocked and this is what is on-your-face, perhaps.

The set changes and scene 2 takes place. This scene is named the waxing scene. Through heart-rendering monologues of six girls sitting in a shitting position, the scene brings chills down the spine. After all, who imagines a girl to be shitting? Suddenly a transition takes place and the scene shifts from being less intense to more intense. Inspired from Virginia Woolf’s a room of one’s own, the dialogues between the actors define the need for a separate space. A space to read, to write, to smoke and to masturbate. With the emphasized lines being, “Ek adad kamre ki zarurat hai..” How typically the metaphorical joker represents the society and a sub conscious mind is a breath-taking observation.

The love scene is a reflection of what happens in a world which runs through the norms of a civilized society, which is probably a farce. The present day commercialisation of love and the various status symbols involved in “being in a relationship” brings home the exclusivity of love and how it functions in today’s world. The baseless of this irony reflects through a hilarious song, the lyrics of which are: Baby khana khaya kya Baby aaj nahaya kya Baby recharge karaya na Baby pyaar nibhaya na

And so forth and so on..

The baraat scene, last in the sequence of the scenes lays thrust on the nudity of baraat, mostly evident in any indian wedding. To know the absurdity of bribe, commodified love and the mother of all show offs, welcome to an Indian wedding. The scene is just a practical trailer. The play ends with a poem, disturbing the sub conscious state of a human mind. The beauty of the poem is it’s honesty. To qoute the unqoute, Asabhya betiyan aati rahengi.

With Uncivilized Daughters, Abhivyakti has set a standard in itself. And what makes it best is it’s supportive audience. The beauty of using minimalist prop makes the stage all the more attractive and aesthetic in appeal.

The show was absolutely house full and not even an inch of space was spared. The audience left no stone unturned to encourage the team. The theatre was a jam packed business.

The cast includes: Malvika Singh Arsh Dadwal Rashi Sharma Shivani Behl Mrinal Yadav Chaitali Pant Urjita Manan Bharadwaj Shikha Dimri Prakriti Anand Mariyam Sara Vrinda Sehgal

On the instruments: Sampurna Dutta (tabla) Rashi Sharma (violin) Shivani Behl (djembe) Shriya Tandon (harmonium)

Sounds: Priyali Dhingra Lights: Garima Lunia

Written and guided by: Kuldeep Kunal

Directed by: Sana Thapa

]]>

Comments are closed.