A play with haunting drumbeats, stylised movements presents fresh perspective on heroism

“The context of the play is to look at war and conflict from the perspective of two superheroes from the vastly different cultures of India and Europe. Achilles and Arjuna initially refused to fight the wars. In both cases, their reason is that they were embracing other aspects of their nature. Achilles is not a heterosexual and he is surrendering to that part of gender. Arjuna’s case is well known in India. So, what happens when aggressive heroes become vulnerable human beings? We thought of expanding that point with artistic freedom,” says Vinay Kumar, Artistic Director of Adishakti.

The play is a haunting melange of drum beats, stylised movements and a play of light and shadow. There are sounds of the victims of war, from the injured soldiers to the widowed women. The writer of the script, Nimmy Raphel, says, “I think everything that goes around in the world makes us pause and reflect where we are in this stage of humanity. War is not an easy topic to discuss for the people who are in it and for those who read about it from far.”

“I sometimes feel if there is a chance for us to look at ourselves from the point of view of humanity, rather than the politics that all of us have to play for the benefit of a few. What could be our response to such a conundrum as artistes? I don’t think it is the artiste’s job to find a solution. Maybe our solutions are not those that are executed by the larger world. This play is a reflection of what is going on in the world and who we become as a result of that,” she adds.

The play, a part of Alliance Francaise Tour 2024, premiered in Ensatt Lyon a few months ago before opening in Puducherry on March 24. After travelling through Chennai, Varanasi, Delhi and Chandigarh, it arrives at Pune’s NM Wadia Amphitheatre, Fergusson College, on April 20, 7 pm. The India inauguration of the play coincided with the “Remembering Veenapani Festival” in honour of Adishakti’s founder and visionary theatre artiste Veenapani Chawla.

The creators of the play are not hoping for a drastic change in mindset that will bring world peace. “We hope to stimulate some people. Hope is something that right-thinking people will always hold on to. If you cannot change the course of action, at least you will dream of a better world. Dreams are what we need to conjure a change. Our job as performers is to create dreamers, not foot soldiers,” says Kumar.