A powerful Urdu play exploring the emotional complexities of the empty-nest syndrome left a profound impact on audiences at the 7th National Drama Festival in Kolkata this week. The performance, staged at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), sparked immediate and heartfelt reactions, bridging generational divides.
Audience Connects with Universal Theme of Separation
The play, titled 'Sunset...Sunrise', was enacted by Hyderabad-based actor-director Mohammad Ali Baig alongside actors Rashmi Seth and Vijay Prasad. Its narrative, which delves into the dynamics between parents and their adult children who live afar, resonated deeply. A poignant moment occurred after the Monday show when an elderly man, who had recently returned to Kolkata after a long stay abroad, approached Baig. Moved by the portrayal of parental solitude, his experience mirrored that of many in the hall.
The performance served as an emotional mirror for the audience. Older attendees were reminded of their own children living in different countries, while younger members of the audience, who themselves lived away from their parents, felt a strong urge to connect with their families immediately after the show.
Baig Challenges Stereotypes Around Urdu Theatre
In a conversation following the successful staging, Mohammad Ali Baig addressed the significant challenges of organizing language-specific theatre festivals in India. He pointed out a prevailing stigma attached to vernacular theatre. "English theatre is 'fashionable' in India. Hindi theatre is considered national," Baig stated. He actively countered the misconception that Urdu is exclusively a language of Muslims, noting that many non-Muslims in Hyderabad subscribe to Urdu newspapers and that Muslims in states like Kerala and Assam may not speak Urdu at all.
For Baig, the spontaneous and emotional reactions from the Kolkata audience were immensely rewarding. He emphasized that for theatre to remain relevant, it must adapt stories to contemporary contexts, ensuring a genuine connection with modern viewers.
The Integrity of Theatre and the Need for Fresh Writing
Baig also stressed the importance of pursuing theatre with conviction, rather than using it as a mere stepping stone to enter films. "When you come to theatre, pursue it with conviction," he advised. He explained that screen acting requires different training, and few actors excel in both formats, citing legends like Balraj Sahni, Smita Patil, and Shreeram Lagoo as rare exceptions.
Looking at the future, Baig asserted that contemporary theatre must offer intellectually stimulating and entertaining content without pandering. He acknowledged the transformations in theatre and film, especially in the last decade with the rise of OTT platforms and the pandemic's impact. "To engage the newer generation, a fresh approach to writing is essential," Baig added.
This is precisely what 'Sunset...Sunrise', penned by Noor Baig, achieves. The play explores parent-child relationships without judgment, avoids blaming the younger generation, and ultimately highlights a matriarch's empowering personal choice, offering a nuanced take on a universal experience.
