Immerse in this play in Mumbai as it showcases the life of Sita

The final chapter of the epic Ramayana has long been a subject of much debate among audiences and scholars alike Extremities dominate popular opinion mdash to contemporary audiences Rama may be either the epitome of perfection or a figure representing detachment and injustice This month and the next Ank Theatre Group soon to celebrate its 49th anniversary will set fire to the theatre with a staging of renowned playwright Agha Hashar Kashmirirsquos 1928 play Sita BanbasActors rehearse a scene set in Lord Ramarsquos DurbarldquoKashmirirsquos play is all about retelling Sitarsquos journey and who she wasrdquo says Atul Tiwari play director ldquoThe script encompasses Sitarsquos exile how she raises Luv and Kush in Rishi Valmikirsquos ashram and how the encounter between the boys and Ramarsquos army leads to an intense and climactic endrdquo He adds ldquoThe play isnrsquot a criticism of Rama but shows the complexity of Rama and Sitarsquos relationshiprdquoA moment from the rehearsal of the dhobi and dhoban often overlooked characters but included in Kashmirirsquos playTiwarirsquos approach to the play is inspired by Parsi theatre with visuallyappealing backgrounds painted curtains props and rich dramatic dialogue ldquoIt doesnrsquot emulate Parsi Theatre but borrows elements from it For example the curtains wonrsquot fall like they do traditionally wersquoll use them differentlyrdquo Tiwari explains ldquoMachines will be used as props such as for Ramarsquos chariot or in the horse capture scene by LuvKushrdquoRavish Kumar kneeling as Durmukh Ramarsquos army commander rehearses a scene with Aman Gupta as RamaTiwari shares that despite Kashmirirsquos powerful Shakespearean writing Sita Banbas has not been staged in Mumbai before Hence it is perfect to celebrate nearly 50 years of Ank Theatrersquos work Tiwari shares ldquoWhat I want audiences to take away from this is to ask questions mdash not just of Rama but everyone Sita Lakshmana and Valmiki included Therersquos a scene where Luv and Kush ask Valmiki why in his narration for instance he criticises Kaikeyi for making a terrible misjudgement but doesnrsquot apply a similar critique to Rama for banishing Sita Thatrsquos a parallel to what audiences must do Ask questions and form their own opinionsrdquoAtul Tiwari instructs cast members Pics CourtesyMindworkz WikipediaWe also caught up with producer and actor Preeta Mathur Thakur who plays Sita about the challenges so far with the play ldquoFinding the right actors for such revered characters has been a challenge considering all the opportunities actors have in Mumbai Such a story demands complete commitment to the rolesrdquo she says ldquoItrsquos tough to manage a team of 30 to 35 people including actors musicians singers and those working behind the scenes But the logistics can and will be managed as wersquore determined to tell this story Importantly others should be just as passionate about this retelling and Irsquom happy to say that the entire team is just as impassioned as usrdquoAtul Tiwari Pic courtesyAtul Tiwari right Agha Hashar KashmiriWhat do Sita and Rama represent for them we ask ldquoSita embodies sacrifice Her exile is transformative we see how she becomes her own woman Simultaneously the script shows Ramarsquos misery something often overlooked it asks questions of fairness and of the dilemmas he faces despite being the epitome of idealrdquo Mathur shares ldquoWith Sitarsquos journey we want to remind audiences that in Bharat the ultimate goal is mukti liberation carefully thoughtout by Sita who achieves it with her own willrdquoOn September 30 October 1 premiere showsTime 6 pm and 9 pm at Prithvi Theatre Janki Kutir JuhuLog on to inbookmyshowcomEntry Rs 200 onwards