Ranganath Ki Waapsi (based on novel Raag Darbaari) moves to Alliance

BAHROOP

PRESENTS

Girish Rastogi’s   

Ranganath Ki Waapsi

Based on Shrilal Shukla’s Sahitya Akademi Award winning novel Raag Darbaari

Music Composition, Design & Direction

 Rajesh Singh

on

18^th November ‘09

7 pm

at

Alliance Française de NEW DELHI
72, Lodhi Estate,
New Delhi-110003  

***ALL ARE INVITED***

About the play

Based on the famous novel ‘Raag Darbaari’ by Shrilal Shukla, Ranganath Ki Waapsi is an intellectual kaleidoscope viewing and reviewing the world in our proximity. It deliberately dodges cynicism despite an in-depth scrutiny of fundamentalism, racial and class profiling, parochialism, chauvinism and political apathy amidst all other menaces of a forced urbanization of an indigenous setting.

The play highlights the failing values present in post-Independence Indian society. It exposes the helplessness of intellectuals in the face of a strong and corrupt nexus between criminals, businessmen, police and politicians through a suave and hilarious satire.

The novel is narrated from the point of view of Ranganath, a research student in history, who comes to live with his uncle, Vaidyaji, in a village named Shivpal Ganj for a few months. He learns how his uncle uses all the village institutions -- the village school, the village panchayat (a local elected body), the local government offices, etc. -- for his political purpose. The conduct of his uncle and the petty village politicians is in stark contrast to the ideals that Ranganath has learnt to aspire to during his university education.The villagers take pride in calling themselves 'gunjahe', originating from 'ganj' of 'Shivpal ganj'

This ‘Shivpal ganj’ is the microcosm, as a mirror reflecting the macrocosm -the whole of India and the world.

Ranganath Ki Waapsi (based on novel Raag Darbaari)

 

BAHROOP

PRESENTS 

GIRISH RASTOGI'S

Ranganath Ki Waapsi

(based on novel Raag Darbaari)

design & direction 

Rajesh Singh

on 

7th November'09

9:15 pm

@

(Student Activity Centre)Teflas, JNU, New Delhi

Snap shots from the workshop with Rajesh Singh

The workshop lifted off with Rajesh Singh, working on the basics of  Breathing.
How breathing is important both in our daily life and as in theatre too. we worked on various basic concepts that shapes our theatre, in it's thought and manifestation.

Theatre Workshop with Rajesh Singh

Bahroop’s

production oriented

Theatre Workshop

from

September 23, 2009 (Wednesday)

with

Rajesh Singh

(renowned NSD alumnus)

Contacts:-

Arvind 9868713197 Hadi 9868636108

Parul 9868490780 Pallavi 9873629182

Vivek 9811686294 Deepak 9313481447

Meet us on september 23, 2009 at Teflas TV hall, 6- 8 pm.

*** all are invited***

Jangal Ke Daawedaar

The Play

History repeats itself and so does the struggle of the people who

populate legends and folklores outside the strict confines of a

history. Jangal Ke Daawedaar documents one such struggle.

Unfolding the saga of past, not too distant, it draws many

immediate contemporary parallels.

     The Director

The former Director of National School of Drama, Devendra

Raj Ankur is one of the most pronounced signatures in modern

Indian theatre. The bulk of his works has been an extraordinary

combination of both creative and scholarly accomplishments.

Best known for his experiment par excellence, Kahani ka

Rangmanch, his endeavours have not been confined only to

directorial ventures. He has authored six books of theatre

criticism including Pahla Rang and Rang Collage. He has

several translations and adaptations of important foreign plays to

his credit. As a visiting faculty, he has been invited to many

countries including Russia, China, Denmark, Sri Lanka and

Maldives. At present, he looks after the Extension Programme of

the National School of Drama.

Habib Tanvir remembered on his 87th Birth Anniversary

Bahroop
commemorates
Habib Tanvir
on his 87th birth anniversary
with
a talk by Mahmood Farouqui
followed by the screening of two documentaries
Dancing At Eighty
(A documentary by Mahmood Farouqui)
and
Gaon ke naam Theatre,
Mor naam Habib
(A documentary by Sudhanva Deshpande)

September 1st 2009
Teflas TV hall, JNU 9:30 pm
***all are invited***

Condemning ban on the play "Charandas Chor" by BJP government of Chhattisgarh

We are shocked to learn from press reports that within two months of the death of noted playwright and social activist Padma Bhushan Habib Tanvir, the BJP government of Chhattisgarh has banned his classic, Charandas Chor. Based on a folktale from Rajasthan & a story by Vijaydan Detha, Habib Tanvir worked on this tale, introducing into it elements of the art and beliefs of the Satnami community.

The government banned this play encashing their age old communal ideology, treading on the emotions of the Satnami community. But all theatre lovers and social thinkers know that the essence of Tanvir’s theatrical endeavour was in and around the folk artists of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Many a times, Satnami singers and dancers have performed in this play, and it has been seen and cherished by members of the community over a period of more three decades, but they never felt any objectionable element in the play. Now all of a sudden, to settle some political scores, the communal government curves and ban the voice of the masses as in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, there are several rural troupes who are today performing some version of this play, due to its

rich content and topical relevance.

The play, a classic of the modern Indian theatre, itself is the story of a thief who, under the influence of a guru, pledges never to tell a lie. He sticks to his pledge, even at the cost of his life. This superb tragic-comedy, in a thoroughly entertaining and artistic manner, brings into focus the moral and ethical degeneration of our society, in which, paradoxically, it is a thief who ends up being more honest than those who supposed to be the custodians of our morality.

Charandas Chor--The signature play of Tanvir’s Naya Theatre Group has enthralled audiences in India and in several countries across the world for nearly three decades with its vivid portrayal of the protagonist — a thief who ends up being a honest one.

Made into a film by Shyam Benegal, with Smita Patil in the lead, in 1975, and was the first Indian play to win the prestigious Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in 1982. It then did a successful run on the London stage. Tanvir won critical acclaim for this play’s entertaining exploration of society’s moral and ethical degeneration.

We demand that the Chhattisgarh government immediately revoke this absurd ban.

[press references:- Hindustan Times dated 3rd August '09,

Joint statement issued by SAHMAT, dated 3rd August' 09<www.sahmat.org/192003.html>>,

<< http://www.sacw.net/article1089.html>>

updates on 4rth August: Hindustan Times dated 4th August' 09 page-10, section 'Books & Worms']

Bahroop's Poster Workshop on 31st july and 1st August

Bahroop’s Theatre Workshop with Firoz Z. Khan (NSD)

Bahroop’s

production oriented

Theatre Workshop

from

August 03, 2009(Monday)

with

Firoz Z. Khan

(renowned NSD alumnus)

Contacts:-

Arvind 9868713197 Hadi 9868636108

Parul 9868490780 Pallavi 9873629182

Vivek 9811686294

Meet us on August 03, 2009 at Teflas TV hall, 6- 8 pm.

*** all are invited***

ALT'S Tritiya Juddha in JNU

Bahroop

Presented

Alternative Living Theatre’s

Tritiya Yuddha

(Third War)

Concept/Direction

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee

Probir Guha

on

24th July ‘09 9:15 pm

K.C.OAT, JNU

Remembering Habib Tanvir

The Doyen of Modern Indian theatre Habib Tanvir witnessed the oppressive rule of the British Government. He occupies an important place in the pantheon of Indian stage-masters who fight for the cause of common masses. He was instrumental in Providing Indian theatre with a new vitality and direction. he was born in raipur where he acquired his early education. he did his advance studies at nagpur and Aligarh. later. with intent to make a career in the film industry he went to Bombay where he joined Indian People's theatre Association and Progressive Writer's Association. These outfits inculcated in him a left wing conviction and also provided an orientation to his abiding interest in folk culture. These two motif- cultures and a leftsist conciousness formed a pattern that can be discerned throughout the plays of Habib Tanvir. He left us on the morning of june 8, 2009... His sudden demise has left a never to be filled void in the Indian theatre scenario. He will be remembered not only as a poet, director, playwright or theatre personality rather as a revolution in the history of Indian theatre.
Join us to remember the tornado of change that is Habib Tanvir.

photo courtesy: Raj Rakt (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080904/chd.htm, Charandas Chor(http://www.indiabuzzing.com/2009/06/), Tanvir(http://blogs.outlookindia.com/posts.aspx?ddm=8&kid=282 respectively.

Woh Bhi Thei Apne

Bahroop staged Arthur Miller's All My Sons as Woh Bhi Thei Apne at PSR Open Air Theatre JNU on 9th May' 2009.

The Play
In an age that is marked with the invasion of ‘the market’ in the deepest of our private spheres, “Woh Bhi Thei Apne” is the story of a businessman who’s incapable of taking responsibility for his actions, which is of no less relevance in the present day scenario. Set in post WW II USA, the play is about a family in which relationships play a dominant role and the characters are subsequently disillusioned. They amass wealth, but they stay culturally underpriviledged. Every character is a physical manifestation of abstract debate between idealism and practical realism of our times.

The Playwright
Miller, a writer with strong social and political commitments, is often praised for his simple yet innovative treatment of mundane themes with abject artistic vivacity. Forged in the fires of Great Depression, he has dealt with age old moral and ethical dilemmas in quite a unique manner which forces the audience to empathize with not only the protagonist but all other characters and re-question their own morality.

The Translator
Dr. Hadi Sarmadi is one of the founding members of Bahroop and has been with the group since its inception. A relentless theatre activist he completed his Ph.D. from JNU and is currently pursuing his theatrical and literary dreams. He has translated many plays including Thank you Mr. Glad.

The Director
K.S. Rajendran is one of the most acclaimed directors in the contemporary Indian Theatre. His creative ventures range from adaptations of Brecht, Ionesco, Genet, Tendulkar, Indira Parthsarathy to Kalidasa & Shudraka. He directs plays in Tamil, Hindi and English. He has been conducting theatre workshops throughout the country & abroad.. He was the course director for the UNESCO ITI workshop,2006 on “Ancient Indian Drama” in Bucharest & has delivered lectures on “Indian Drama” at the Stockholm, Upsaala & Oslo Universities in May 2007. He is currently an NSD Faculty and the Editor of NSD’s prestigious theatre journal in English ‘Theatre India’.

The new Governing Body of Bahroop

Governing Body of Bahroop Arts Group for the period of 2008-2010

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jaidev Taneja (President)
--------------------

  Archana Rawal, Shahid Anwar(Vice- Presidents)

--------------
Md Kazim (General Secretary)
--------
---Secretaries---
 Sharmistha Saha,  Kriti Sharma, Arvind Alok,Ghufran Ahmed Khan

----------------------
Benil Biswas (Treasurer )
-----------------------------
Executive Members
Rohini Kumari,Tarique Hameed,
Resh Lamba, Md. Babar Maqsood, Gourab Ghosh,
A.K.M Hadi, Vikas Singh Rathore.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Saaye Hamsaaye

Bahroop is staging Saaye Hamsaaye on 18th February'09 at Sri Ram Centre as a part of Delhi Urdu Academy Drama Festival.

Baghdad Burning

Bahroop presents Aaranjan's
Baghdad Burning

Darj Karo! remembering Mah moud Darwish

Remembering Mahmoud Darwish