On the occasion of the 5th Krishnakriti Annual Festival Of Art & Culture from 7th to 11th January, the Kalakriti Art Gallery is presenting a social play, Choli Ke Piche Kya Hai, on 8th January, at the Ravindra Bharathi auditorium.
Choli Ke Piche Kya Hai is based on a short story Sthan Dayini, written by Mahasweta Devi. It is written in the mode of social realism, and is partly social satire and partly tragic allegory. Its main character is Jasoda, a brahmin woman whose husband loses his legs in an accident. The couple and their children become dependent for their support on the Haldars, a rich but lower caste Hindu family who employ Jashoda as a wet-nurse who has to remain pregnant throughout her life to feed Halder's children, and will get food and cloth against that. Mahasweta Devi tells Jashoda's story in such a way that it becomes an allegorical narrative of Mother India after Independence in 1947.
Mahasweta Devi has become internationally famous for her experimental social-documentary short stories. These stories are often based on carefully researched historical records, investigative journalism and activist fieldwork in the Indian countryside. Sthan Dayini, written in the mode of social realism, is partly social satire and partly tragic allegory.
The play is directed by Alok Gagdekar, a student of the National School of Drama. Gagdekar is one of the voluteers of Budhan Theatre.
The Krishnakriti Art And Culture Festival is being organised every year by the Lahoti Foundation, which was established by artist Prashant Lahoti in memory of his father Krishnachandra B Lahoti. On this occasion, art camps are organised by eminent artists, and the works are auctioned off at the end of the festival. The proceeds from the sales go to The Krishnachandra B Lahoti Scholarship, which sponsors holistic education for deserving and needy students. Last year's proceeds have gone a long way in supporting 70 children.
The entry to the play is by invitations only. Please contact Kalakriti Art Gallery at 6656-4466 for further details.