Ghalib In New Delhi - A Hindi Play: Events in Hyderabad

The question is not whether you should watch this - it is whether you can manage an invite.

The Lahoti Foundation, in association with Kalakriti Art Gallery, is organising the 4th Krishnakriti Art And Culture Festival 2007, at various venues, from 7th to 11th January. A series of art and cultural programs will be organised during this period. Today, the 2nd day, a comedy play in Hindi called Ghalib In New Delhi, will be staged at the Secunderabad Club, by Pierrot's Troupe.

Ghalib In New Delhi is amongst the most popular and critically acclaimed plays in recent times. This rip-roaring comedy has the great erstwhile Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib being reborn and revisiting his beloved Dehli, now called Delhi, in 2004, to witness his posthumous fame, something that was quite elusive in his lifetime.

The plot revolves around Ghalib striving against an omnipotent identity crisis, beginning with the occupants of his haveli mistaking him to be Ghalib's Jinn (ghost). This forces him to retreat and stay with a Bihari boy, Jai Hind, a Delhi University student, in a servant quarter. His confidence is further shattered when Jai Hind and his landlady Mrs. Chaddha recognize his worth only through the voice of Jagjit Singh, and the screen portrayal by Naseeruddin Shah.

Persuaded by the duo and in desperate need of recognition, Ghalib decides to sell himself. The consequent press conference turns out to be a damp squib with the journalists being more interested in post-conference snacks and juicy headlines. Ghalib then opts for an advertising agency to perpetuate his presence in the minds of the people.

The play culminates with Ghalib accepting the changed scenario of India in general and New Delhi in particular. He befriends Shobha De and through her is introduced to Daler Mehendi who now sings his ghazals on Channel V.

Ghalib In New Delhi is written and directed by Dr M Sayeed Alam, a Delhi-based theater personality. Through one-liners, he acquaints us with the socio-political maladies ailing our society.

The Krishnakriti Art And Culture Festival is being organised every year by the Lahoti Foundation, which was established by 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 detailed list of programs for the 4th Krishnakriti Art And Culture Festival is as under:

7th January 2007
04:00pm - Inauguration of the festival at Kalakriti Art Gallery
05:00pm - Reading of poems by Ranjit Hoskote at Kalakriti Art Gallery
07:00pm - Sufi and Bhakti Music by Vidya Shah at Durgam Cheruvu

8th January 2007
07:00pm - Discussion on "Pursuit Of Value - Where Is The Indian Art Market Going", at Novotel Hyderabad, Hitex, Madhapur

9th January 2007
07:00pm - Galib in New Delhi - A play by Pierrots Troupe at Secunderabad Club

10th January 2007
07:00pm - Jazz concert by Jeo Alvarez, Louis Banks & Shefali at Durgam Cheruvu

11th January 2007
03:00pm to 06:00pm - International Art Camp at Kalakriti Art Gallery
06:00pm - Digital Art presentation by French artist Beatrice de Fays at Kalakriti Art Gallery
07:00pm - Khatijabai Of Karmali Terrace - A play by Q Theatre Productions

Entry to all the above programs is by invitations, which can be collected at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Plot No. 468, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills. For further details, please contact 6656-4466.