War Zone

Set in contemporary India,Kumaradas made major changes to the script,drawn from Homer’s Iliad. “Otherwise it would have been six hours long! I am among the few in Kerala who had the privilege to go to NSD. I am a Dalit and I chose to express my sentiments through this play. It’s my ode to Kerala and I will be travelling there with it soon,” adds Kumaradas.

The play follows the fate of the women of Troy after their city has been reduced to rubble,their husbands killed and family members taken away as slaves. The epic Iliad pins the blame for the Trojan War on womanhood. “In India,Dalit women live a life of misery. They are oppressed and often excluded from the fruits of development,whether social,economic or educational. The play draws on this process,besides delving in to Sartre’s view of women,” he adds.

Design expert Rajendra Panchal is incorporating a variety of elements into the play — live music,folk dances,popular music and multi-media — to introduce variety and involve students in every aspect of production. “You want to encourage young directors to infuse energy in actors and productions. They can challenge norms,break boundaries,instill the value of interaction and team-work in students and create a value system with their work,” says Neelam Man Singh,Chairperson of the Department. The play is a collaboration between the department and NSD.

The play will be performed from February 22 to 28 at the open air theatre at 7 pm daily