Journalism of Courage
Tunni ki Kahani is the tale of a childs lucidity on environmental and social crisis amid an oblivious world
A musical with dense poetry and a pressing environmental message,Tunni ki Kahani,was born two years ago when art director Sukant Panigrahy spotted director and playwright Gopal Dutt singing songs from the play at a gathering. Panigrahy,who devotes copious amount of time to activism,was intrigued by Dutts concept and his mind was flooded with fitting visuals which could make the play an ocular treat. Thus began the collaboration. The play will be staged on Wednesday in Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagriha as part of The Beauty of Recycling Festival organised by eCoexist in association with Phoenix Marketcity.
Illustrating the point he shares a scene from the play when Tunni visits Red land and befriends a girl named Lalli. Tunni suggests they transgress Red lands boundaries and visit Green land. Lalli isnt supportive of the idea,reiterating the bad relations with Green land and also the dangers of a solitary tiger that guards the forest mediating Red and Green land. But Tunni says shell reason with the tiger and convinces Lalli. On entering the forest,the tiger roars to scare the children away. Tunni rebukes the tiger by proclaiming his cowardice for roaring at children. The tiger breaks down in tears and says that he is the only tiger left in the little patch of forest caught between human territories on both sides.
The play seeks to give a message on the urgent need for human solidarity,beyond the myopia of borders and nations. The fight for nature is a cause for which all of humanity must unite, says Dutt,the director,playwright and composer of this production. He shares that Red,Green and Blue lands are eventually attacked by Smoky,the queen of destruction: symbolically a conglomeration of environmental hazards. Tunni instils sense into the inhabitants by telling them that solidarity is the only way to tackle an enemy. The territories mobilise to defeat Smoky in an exhilarating climax.
We are seeking to create awareness through art. We want the viewers to think. We want parents to question their pre-conceived notions. We want children to question their parents on why we are divided, says Panigrahy.
Tunni Ki Kahani will be staged on Wednesday at 7 pm in Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha
