Space jam

A play finds inspiration from one of T.S. Eliot’s protagonists

Written by Dipanita Nath

Mumbai | October 31, 2014 01:00 AM IST

2 min read

Rahul Tewari, Dhwani Vij, Anannya Tripathyi of the Third Space Collective

T.S. Eliot never intended his seminal work The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock for the stage. Yet, the poem that he is most famous for — alongside The Waste Land — is full of references to “half-deserted streets”, dismal landscapes and people who have measured out “life with coffee spoons”. It’s a world that non-traditional theatre directors and actors would enjoy. Today, director Neel Sengupta and his group, Third Space Collective, will present their adaptation of the poem, through a play titled Love, Prufrock with actors Dhwani Vij, Anannya Tripathyi and Rahul Tewari channelling their inner Prufrock in the 21st century.
“We look at our urban structures and how it leads to a tussle with the actors. Each actor explores the feeling of emotional ambiguity that defines Prufrock in different spaces such as a mall, metro or a pub,” says Sengupta. From trying on clothes in a mall to engaging with mannequins with their well-toned bodies, the three Prufrocks — including two women in this anti-gender casting — are made constantly aware that they are a part of a larger scheme of things. In the Metro scene, an actor is sucked into the crowd and disappears in the surging mass of humanity. In another, an actor stands amid the structures of a mall and gulps in large quantities of air in an attempt to become bigger to accommodate the structures around him.
“The performing space is a box covered with a plastic sheet, made of PVC pipes and bubble wraps,” he adds. Most of the sounds are made by the actors but Sound Designer Neel Chaudhuri has made recordings of people breathing and vocal noises. LEDs placed around the box light up, giving the illusion of being caught in a structure.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Rahul Tewari