Local publication goes international
ACCLAIMED Durban playwright Ashwin Singh, who was inspired by the onstage antics of local actors while growing up, will launch his book Durban Dialogues, Then and Now in London.
The 46-year-old attorney said he was honoured and felt excited that his second anthology of plays, published by the London-based Aurora Metro Books, would be launched at the Nehru Centre on May 18.
The centre was established in 1992 and promotes cultural exchange between India and the United Kingdom.
His first anthology of plays, Durban Dialogues, Indian Voice, was published by Aurora Metro Books five years ago.
“I am the first South African playwright to have my published works launched at the celebrated institution and I feel both honoured and excited,” remarked Singh.
“My latest offering looks at the challenges of life in post apartheid South Africa. The focus is particularly on people of Indian origin and their relationships with other South African communities, and chart the loss of ideals in the dream of the Rainbow nation.”
He said the book looked at social and political issues experienced by people presently, including sexism, racism, corruption and crime.
The launch, said Singh, will also feature art practitioners, academics and cultural officers.
“My sister, Shantal, will be attending and she will deliver a presentation. I will also be doing a live performance of some of my plays.”
Singh, who resides in Avoca and has written an assortment of productions including Marital Blitz, To House and Duped, said his parents nurtured his passion for the arts.
“My father and mother loved watching plays. With the restrictions imposed during apartheid, we had to attend productions within our communities in the Indian suburbs. I remember being in awe of everything – from the storyline to the characters on stage. It mesmerised me.”
While a pupil at Avoca Secondary School, Singh immersed himself in literature of William Shakespeare and later Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Ricky Gervais.
“After I matriculated, I opted for a career in law and graduated with a degree at age 23. I was a practising attorney for a few years and funny enough, a few years later I was employed at the Playhouse Company as a legal trainer advising actors about their rights.”
Singh and Shantal, a clinical psychologist, theatre producer and creator of children’s stories, went on to start a production company – The Singh Siblings.
“We regard the company as an arts association without corporate status. We wanted to create an association to deal specifically with local projects, most of our creations, as well as training for aspiring artists.”
Some of his works have been staged in India and published in the UK.
Over the years Singh’s plays have been staged at the Playhouse and the Catalina Theatre in Durban as well as the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton and the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. He worked with actors like Rory Booth, Nthando Mncube and Kajal Maharaj.
Singh is a three time national award winner for playwriting accolades he received from PANSA Playreading Festival.
The book is available on Amazon.com