With Yahudi ki Ladki , Nadira Babbar pays tribute

Confirming to its dual composition, Parsi theatre had two types of music — classical based for the main plot and folk music and popular western compositions for the rest. Invariably, there was demand of `once more’ for popular songs and verses. Through the lives of Azra, an embodiment of love and sacrifice, and the Roman priest Brutus who thirsts for the blood of Jews, my play underlines the fact that love and brotherhood are the greatest virtues in life. Keeping in mind the present-day audiences, we have edited the script but without sacrificing the essentials of the play or the authenticity of the genre. Without the support of any institution or sponsors, the production proved to be a trying task. But artistes like Shaikh Sami Usman, Mandakini Goswami, Juhi Babbar, Lalit Parimoo, Zakir Husain and Darpan Mishra, who have moulded themselves into the style of Parsi theatre, have made the effort worth its weight.

One of the major attractions of this play is its music, a composition by young Amod Bhatt, which transports you to the Roman era. Costumes by Juhi Babbar and sets by Chhel-Paresh have added to the authenticity of the period of the play and given a visual glory to the stage.

In short, it is every `Ekjute’ member’s devoted and dedicated effort and undying love for Parsi theatre which has brought this play to the stage. An experiment in presenting to the modern audiences a sample of what was. Especially to the youth which has not been exposed to this form of theatre. It is they who will have to perpetuate the art. We have introduced Parsi theatre to the present generation, it is they who will have to showcase it to the generation next. Will they revive the amber from the ashes?