Wah Raj!

It was a tribute to the iconic entertainer Raj Kapoor through two different media — stage and film— both unfolding simultaneously at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on Friday evening. Rubaru: RK in Russia,presented by the Hungry Heart Festival,had actors on stage enacting a story that takes place in the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert in China. An ageing theatre director,deeply influenced by Kapoor’s films,finds himself stranded in the desert en route to China,where he is to perform. The troupe’s endless wait for rescue is punctuated by collisions as their conflicting ideologies and the dichotomy between their real and make-believe worlds burst to the surface. The action on stage was complemented by the two screens on

either side,one of which played clips from Kapoor’s films while the other had behind-the-scenes footage of the actors rehearsing for Rubaru. While Smita Bharti directed the play,the films were made by Rima Chibb.

The play,held in aid of HelpAge India,was also an effort to draw attention to the issues concerning senior citizens. As Kapil Kaul,HelpAge Country Head (Advocacy,Resource and Communications),said,“Why must the elderly be looked upon as serious,dependent or lonely people? They can be full of zest and have fun too.” And as the grey-haired crowd in the audience attested,few things rekindle past joys more than the antics of India’s favourite tramp.

Rubaru will be staged again at Epicentre,Gurgaon,on May 17,and at the India Habitat Centre on June 2.