Writer-director Quraishi makes IPTA’s latest offering a memorable one
Aur Ek Sacch, presented by the Indian Peoples Theatre Association, Delhi, at the India Islamic Cultural Centre to commemorate its 50th anniversary, highlights the plight of women suffering at the hands of a heartless and soulless patriarchal society.
Writer-director Aziz Quraishi brings a unique touch by opening the play with a video clip of a newspaper report on the rape of a bride being typed out. A short film follows, highlighting a dialogue between Time and Woman – each portrayed as “ageless”.
Aur Ek Sacch is the story of liaisons between the genders – men and women as also women and women. The play, through different narratives, depicts how, directly or indirectly, women are subjugated by men in all aspects of life. But Quraishi also raises the question of whether only the men should be blamed or whether some extent of the fault lies with the women too.
Inspired by Ismat Chughtai’s story, Dozakh, the play is about two rejected, lonely women who are bound together by old age and the lack of a family support system. They reminiscence about men, lust, the past, responsibilities, the pitfalls of a patriarchal society, and what can be done to make relationships and life better for both sexes. The play presents a fresh and interesting look at two women’s struggle to deal with physical, mental and emotional confinement.
It also explores the role played by the woman as homemaker, nurturer, and builder of social and ethical values, and questions why either consciously or sub-consciously she has over centuries been teaching the child that the man is more important and the woman must be subservient.
Veteran stage and radio actress Suchitra Gupta’s portrayal of the “ageless woman” sets the tone for the production – serious, intense and restrained. Charu Madan and Ashima Pandey are memorable as the two old and neglected women. Quraishi himself gives a praiseworthy performance, playing various characters in the play.
The production projects with directorial finesse the different faces of society and its varying responses when confronted with the dilemma of a woman’s life. A range of tragic facets of women’s lives is highlighted.
