Two-act play ‘Zindagi Dhup Tum Ghana Saya’ evokes turmoil of womanhood

 

 

 

Does the world really care about women’s emotions, their aspirations, their choices? Even in 21st century, what is the status of women in society? Are they really independent or they are just busy enacting a farce, suppressing their own emotions for the sake of family happiness? All these questions were beautifully woven into a two-act Marathi play, ‘Zindagi Dhup Tum Ghana Saya’.

 

The third and concluding play was presented at Sai Sabhagruha in the 27th edition of Lekhika Natya Mahotsav organised by Padmagandha Pratisthan. The play centres around three friends, Sudha, Radha and Megha, the three female protagonists, childhood friends and buddies, meeting after a long time. As happens when the friends sit together, the talk reverts to each of their current status, wherein each one feels other one is luckier than her. The play stitches together the emotions of each of the character, trying to draw upon the women, their challenges, trying to find their usefulness, their role and most important, are they happy? Placed against the domineering role of women in society, the play scripted by Anita Joshi, she has also directed it, beautifully extols that though they are central to their family, somehow, they seemed lost in the race to be perfect.

 

As Sudha (Anita Joshi), in whose home the three gather to unravel the intricacies of their individual lives, each one finds comfort in other’s support as their friendship bond gets thicker, providing succour and showing the path to find satisfaction in life. Radha (Smruti Mulmule) is portrayed as one who did not get support from family to pursue her likes, her choices were never given the due weightage and one who is trying to balance her job and family life. And their third friend, Megha (Aparna Tayde), a successful bureaucrat, is seen by other two as different from their life struggle, but as she unwinds, her story is also not different. Each of the protagonist women had to surrender their wishes and desires at the altar of family happiness, common for both Sudha and Radha.

 

As to Aparna, she chose to remain steadfast and chose her career when given a choice by her boyfriend to choose between cosy family life or a successful career. The plot and the soulful songs depicting the situation of the women beautifully brought about the struggle they face in making it big on their own. Music by Anil Indane, while light and stage decoration was by Swapnil Bahute. Anil Joshi produced the play, while dress and make-up was handled by Ruchita Joshi. 

 

 

 

At the conclusion of the three-day programme, Padmagandha Pratisthan distributed prizes wherein Best Actress award was presented to Aparna Punekar and Nishigandha Chafekar for their roles in play Ratnavali; to Mayuri Tongle (Shikar) and Anita Joshi and Smruti Mulmule (Zindagi Dhup Tum Ghana Saya). Vedang Vyas was adjudged Best Male actor for his role in Shikar. The awards were sponsored by Jayashree Hazare and Prabha Deoskar, while Bhagyashree Karajgaonkar presented the award. Shama Deshpande proposed vote of thanks.