Play: Marmbhed

Marmbhed

Play: Marmbhed (Ahmedabad Theatre Group- ATG)
An Opportunity for AID Chapters to Engage the Diaspora in a
Stimulating Dialogue on Peace and Unity by working with ATG and Utthan

 

 Summary of Marmbhed:
 
Marmbhed (also called Shaft of Sunlight) was written by Abhijat Joshi, also known for his screenwriting in Mission Kashmir and Lage Raho Munnabhai. The play won the BBC World Service International Playwriting Competition. It was written post-1993 riots and beautifully illustrates the damage that can be wrought on a community (portrayed by a family) divided against itself. It explores the conflict that exists in a marriage between a Hindu and a Muslim, against the backdrop of the explosive communal politics of India. A short summary of the play is available at the end of this note. A Shaft of Sunlight can also be purchased at Amazon.com. More then 400 shows of this play have been performed by 'Tamasha' group and Birmingham Repertory in UK and more than 50 shows were performed by ATG in Gujarat. Please visit the website of ATG, for more information about the group and the play, visit www.ahemdabadtheatregroup.com or for information about the Tamasha group, visit http://www.tamasha.org.uk/shaft-of-sunlight/

The group currently plans to tour the US in the spring of 2009.

Why bring the play to our city?

The primary reason is to facilitate a discussion around communal peace and unity issues in Gujarat, and the rest of India. There has been an increasing frequency of state-sponsored intimidation tactics to suppress any discussion of the issue (witness the fate of Parzania and the more recent attack on fine arts students and faculty at MS University, among many others).  While both Ahmedabad Theatre Group (ATG) and Utthan (among others) have actively pursued advocacy of peace and healing between communities in Gujarat, there is a need to bring this discussion to the NRI population.

Additionally, AID has worked closely with Utthan (see our project page or http://utthangujarat.org), a Gender Empowerment, Livelihood Security and Conflict Transformation group in Gujarat, and the director of Utthan, Nafisa Barot has been a keynote speaker at the 2004 AID conference in Pittsburgh.

What is the background of the theater group?

Ahmedabad Theatre Group (ATG) has organized several plays, folklore/sufi/ghazal song sessions, and workshops in Ahmedabad, particularly dealing with sensitive socio-cultural issues. Details of previous plays as well as newspaper reviews of the group, including their past performance of Marmbhed can be found at www.ahmedabadtheatregroup.com

Rajoo Barot, director/actor, is a well-known NSD graduate who has directed and acted in several plays and also appeared in films as well as in lead roles in popular Gujarati television serials. He has received prestigious awards like "Gaurav Purskar" from Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy, "Best Play Back Singer" for the year 2000, and Director of "Best Film Documentary" from the State.

What is expected from AID chapters hosting this play?

It depends on the city and the chapter. To bring the play, ATG would need accommodations (homes of volunteers) and logistics support (venue) as well as profits from ticket sales (or flat fee of $5K, negotiable). In several cities there are other organizations that have pledged support, either monetary or logistical, that would be ideal partners. If the troupe is in the neighborhood, and raising funds is an issue, we encourage you to consider other options – discussion groups, Dandiya Raas, Sufi songs, theater workshops, etc. that will further advocacy goals without being a financial strain on the chapter. Additionally, in cases where the AID chapter cannot sponsor the event, and another group is bringing it to the city, we request that the chapter support the event as far as possible.

Fabulous! What next?
Contact the Marmbhed Contacts below for information on bringing the play to your city!
Surabhi Shah surabhi_shah@bellsouth.net
Bhairavi Shah at bhairavi.shah@gmail.com
 
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