Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Falling way too short
Before the play: Great Expectations.
After the play: No great shakes.
True, the music was melodious and heart-rending, the stills that appeared at regular intervals capturing Mother Teresa at work in Calcutta and that rare photograph which showed a young Mother did lend piquancy to the presentation. However, the play felt like a poor production of a children8217;s storybook tale.
The story revolved around a young man, Michael MadhusudanChowdhury, a reporter for a television network. When his daughter Mishka asks him about God, the play rewinds to the life of Mother Teresa, beginning from the time she is young, and wants to go to Calcutta to serve the poor. Despite family objections, she reaches Calcutta and joins Loretto Convent. But she is frustrated teaching the children of the rich when just outside her window is a world of utter poverty. She seeks permission to walk out of the order. Thus was born a noble mission.
Every episode of her life was portrayed through beautiful songs. However, Mother was enacted by Nisha Sareen, a young girl, right upto the very end. And that did not look quite so convincing, or appealing. Then, at one point, we have Chowdhury interviewing Mother. And while he is talking to her, a Sister of Charity interrupts and apprises her that someone is interested in setting up a Teresa Home in Agra. Mother answers that she has no money but if the Lord wills it, it may happen. Just then another Sister of Charity comesin to inform her that she has won the Magsaysay Award. This award, says Mother, could go towards the cause of the Teresa Home in Agra. And all through this exchange, the journalist continues his mundane interview, without displaying any interest in the fact that she has just won the Magsaysay Award.
If the director of the play had specifically mentioned to the public that this musicale was to be performed by children 8211; most of the cast comprised school- and college-going children 8211; then the audience would probably not have judged the play so critically. Otherwise, it only served as a sketchy tribute to a woman who had taken the world by storm.
Music of the night
As acclaimed vocalists Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra and renowned sitarist Ustad Shahid Parvez, alongwith the inimitable tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, took centrestage at the Tandav Ke Sur Taal on Sunday evening at the Garware College Grounds, they made it a memorable evening for music-lovers of the city.
The Mishra duo captivatedthe audience with their Piya Sang Lagi Lagan and Phhoolava Phoole Rahe Van Mein as they showcased their individual feel for raag Puriya and Basant and their ability to complement each other perfectly. It was almost 11.30 pm by the time Parvez ascended the platform to give vent to his immense talent and control over the sitar strings. But, of course, the most-awaited moment of the evening came in the wee hours of the morning when Hussain got into the act to accompany Parvez. Their jugalbandi elicited thunderous and spontaneous applause from the audience. Pune violinist Fayyaz Khan, who was present at the show, was also felicitated by the duo.
The concert, organised in memory of the late Heerabai Barodekar, proved that Pune is still culturally alive as music-enthusiasts continued to sit till almost 2 am, soaking in the melody-drenched atmosphere. One only wishes that the show had begun on schedule rather than being one hour late, with Hussain8217;s performance coming earlier than past midnight.
Contributedby Vinita and Sunanda
