Katha play review , Marathi play review - www.MumbaiTheatreGuide.com

	Direction : Anand Mhasvekar Writer : Anand Mhasvekar Cast : Vikram Gokhale, Suhas Joshi, Priyanka
Katha play review

Deepa Ranade	Host-A-Performance \| Schedules

When theatre veterans Vikram Gokhale and Suhas Joshi pair up for a play, it is expected that audiences will flock the theatre with heightened anticipation. The big question is - does the casting coup pave way for the making of a classic play? The play opens in the middle-class household of a retired couple, Shyam Rao (Vikram Gokhale) and Malti Lele (Suhas Joshi) with a voiceover informing you that the two have agreed to disagree with each other ever since they were married 35 years ago.

KATHA
Shyam Rao is happily parked in his favourite chair with the newspaper while Malti has just returned from an invigorating morning walk. She eyes his semi-supine form disdainfully while he mocks her attempts at chasing lost youth by exercising and 'dying hair jet black'. Such bickering goes on and on. The scene could be straight out of your own home - the lead couple could be your aged relatives or yourself. A slice of real life!

It is revealed again through the voiceover that the Leles are estranged from their son who has set up a separate home soon after his marriage and their daughter who has eloped with her Muslim lover much against their wishes. The ageing twosome is lonesome as well as quarrelsome. Given their domestic circumstances they have decided to stay aloof from their children and not get involved in any familial matters. They refrain from taking care of their grandson in the absence of his parents (one wonders though about what happened to all the creches in the neighbourhood)and Shaym Rao refuses to acknowledge his burqa clad daughter (so archaic!) when she hails him in the market. They have almost abandoned their children.

The embittered Leles find solace in squabbling with each other and just when the inertia of the script is bogging you down, the entry of young and sprightly Leena Barve adds momentum to the proceedings. She makes an audacious request to the starchy Leles to accommodate her as their paying guest. Shyam Rao agrees to the arrangement with much coaxing from Malti and finally Leena moves in with them. She is amused at their constant quarrels. And soon, Shyam Rao starts doting on young Leena - pacing restlessly when she gets home late for instance. Likewise, Malti shares some sweet motherly moments over 'kande pohe' with her. They even celebrate Leena's 24th birthday with great enthusiasm - decorating the house with shiny festoons and cutting a cake.

The next twist in the tale comes in the form of Leena's announcement of her wedding with her Christian boyfriend. She moves out after her marriage severing all ties with the aged couple. It is like history repeating itself. The hardy Leles resolve the conflict and get back to their own lives. On their wedding anniversary, however, they are pleasantly surprised when a much-pregnant Leena calls on them with a congratulatory bouquet. She reasons that since the Leles had begun treating her like their daughter by default - she felt the distance would help them get a reality check. Now the new and informed Leles get on with a mellowed down view of their own children and they even try bridging the abyss.

Writer-director Anand Mhasvekar creates an authentic atmosphere with his characters and situations. He inspires the audience to empathize with the oddities of the aging couple's life. But what he is unable to achieve is an innovative approach or solution to the stalemate. Instead of the "we won't care" attitude that he prescribes to his lead pair, he could have suggested some socially useful outlets for their pent up emotions and energy. Something like a self help group or volunteering services in social institutions like libraries, hospitals, schools or orphanages, perhaps? The bleak and dated outlook takes away the credit of the play.

Gokhale and Joshi deliver the goods pat and proper; they are so natural on the stage that you get taken in by the authenticity of their performances. However, Priyanka in the role of young, vivacious Leena appears to be miscast. Instead, an endearing, younger actor would have added value to the play. The sets, lighting and music of the play are to the mark. KATHA however is regular family fare, never mind the casting coup.

*Deepa Ranade is a film and theatre reviewer. She has been an entertainment journalist for over fifteen years.

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