After two decades, theatre to return to city’s loved cultural hub
Theatre enthusiasts of the Capital, get set to catch the drama at Triveni’s amphitheatre, again
In the late ’90s, the last production staged at Triveni Kala Sangam was theatre director Feisal Alkazi’s Meena Dilli Wali. Today, after two long decades, the director is back at the same venue — which is reopening its stage for theatre performances — with his play, The Gathered Leaves, based on tensions within family life.
Alkazi says, “I have a close association with Triveni since childhood... we are well known to Mrs Shridharani (late Sundari K Shridharani, founder of Triveni). I have spend a lot of my childhood in Triveni, because my father (Ebrahim Alkazi) was at National School of Drama. I’ve done many plays here. So when they approached me for a show, I happily agreed. It’s a tribute to them, their family and their space. It’s a wonderful theatre.We want people to come and see the ambience.”
A popular venue in the cultural hub of the city, Mandi House, Triveni is a favourite among lovers of art. “We didn’t allow ticketed shows back then, so the interest was limited. Now, Feisal has agreed to have his show non-ticketed. Also, we cater to plays with limited seats, and we plan amphitheatre events on weekends, so that our teaching classes aren’t disturbed,” says Amar K Shridharani.
Manisha Khurana, Triveni’s media-in-charge, adds, “Even the staff is excited to see a theatre in Triveni after so many years. Watching a play in the amphitheatre gives you a different vibe.”
Alkazi has staged his plays in some of the most popular auditoriums in India and abroad. He has performed this play in Delhi before, too. However, he says this show is particularly special. “This is our 19th show and we’ve taken this play to people’s houses. As the play has a small cast, it has been enacted even in Delhi’s drawing rooms. Once we performed it for 35 people .... ”
The production is b playwright Andrew Keatley’s story, and Alkazi has changed the names of characters only. “I’ve changed nothing in the story. Every dialogue is exactly what Keatley wrote. It’s about three generations of a Delhi family, who’ve come together after 17 years. One of the main characters is the son, who is autistic,” says Alkazi.
The director says that one of the characters in the play resonates with the life of actor
Neena Gupta. “The daughter who comes back, got pregnant, when she was a student in JNU. She met a Caribbean guy and conceived. The family told her to go ahead with the pregnancy without wedlock, but not to come back. After 17 years, she returns with her half -Indian half-Caribbean daughter. It seems like Neena Gupta’s story. The twists and turns in the play will make you emotional,” says Alkazi.
We cater to plays with limited seats, and we plan amphitheatre events on weekends, so that our teaching classes aren’t disturbed.
AMAR K SHRIDHARANI
FROM TRIVENI KALA SANGAM I’ve changed nothing in the story. Every dialogue is what Keatley wrote. It’s about three generations of a Delhi family.
FEISAL ALKAZI THEATREDIRECTOR