Day 1

1 April 2016
Friday
Prithvi Theatre

Day 1 at Prithvi opened amidst much fanfare and taamjhaam. Before the festival was even declared open, our very talented Mural Artist set the scene with her first artwork of the festival - based on yesterday's play - in the courtyard of Prithvi Theatre. Then followed the actual opening, with the playwrights and facilitators lighting the ceremonious lamp with Gagan Dev Riar chanting the ancient 'shloka' of the performing arts. The crowd cheered as Shernaz Patel welcomed them to the festival and kickstarted the festival.
Yesterday's talk was a discussion with award-winning writer Varun Grover and ace actors Shweta Tripathi and Vicky Kaushal about the Cannes Wonder Masaan. The audience was enthusiastic and inquisitive and the question just kept coming in, with nobody ready to leave the room despite the discussion continuing for quite a while after the given time.

Arshia Sattar's workshop also kickstarted yesterday with a session and then a play-watching by the participants. 
The music performance by singer-songwriter Vipin Heero was equally lauded. He kept the audience entertained with his hilarious lyrics and wonderful music. 
Both shows of the 'play of the day' Naqqaash opened to a full house. The who's who of the theatre community and audience members alike filled the seats and gangways of the auditorium and left it enchanted with the play. If you missed the play, fret not. It plays at NCPA on 17 April at 7:30 pm. 
And if you were a part of the day at Writers' Bloc, share your experience with us in the comments below!

This was our day at Prithvi on the 1st

Play of the Day

In the village without men, why are the women singing in the streets? Why is Aklu the knifemaker, the only male who stayed? Will he be arrested? What really happened at the Factory where Aklu’s son works? Will the cops come clean, or hide behind their smokescreen of contradictions? Who is the Oppressor, who the Oppressed?

Playwright

Asad Hussain

Director

Rajit Kapur

7:00 pm

9:30 pm

Rs. 300

Book tickets now!

Cast 

Shubhrojyoti Barat, Imran Rasheed, Sukant Goel, Gagandev Riar, Ajitesh Gupta, Nishchal Chandra, Ajit Singh, Asheesh Kapur and Alka Sharma

The Women

Barkha Swaroop Saxena, Kajli Sharma, Manisha Pradhan, Anuradha Athlekar, Jahnavi Dave, Mahnaz Damania, Rati Tripathi, Priyanka Chandra, Vedheca Maelpani

Credits

Lights: Yael Crishna

Sound: Chetan Mahajan

Sets: Dhanendra Kawade

Costumes: Gibran Anwar

Production: Ajit Singh, Ayaz Ansari

Playwright's Note

“The word naqqash means carver, as the character Aklu is a knifemaker in a village. His knives are works of art, not just the blades, but also the handles, because of the intricate patterns he carves on them. I was captivated by the notion that in a village where most people are farmers and where life is hard and marked by poverty, there could be this one man so consumed by beauty that he brings out his creativity on the handles of the knives he makes.” - Asad Hussain

Director's Note

“Not in the last twenty years have I found a Hindi text that is so rich and powerful in its use of the language. I am directing this play but given the chance, I would have loved to play any of the characters; it is a delicious challenge to an actor.” - Rajit Kapur

Also in the day,

Discussion

7:30pm
Prithvi House
Masaan: From Idea to Screen
With Varun Grover, Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi

Varun Grover talks about his process as a writer, how he developed the idea, how he went about his research, how the characters wove in and out of the story arcs, and of course, how you worked with the director and actors before and during the filming. 

Art Exhibition
To know more about the Artists, click here

Singer Songwriter of the day
Vipin Heero

The singer, songwriter and composer with a unique style has carved a niche for himself with songs often applauded for being 'cute and funny'. They include humorous romantic songs, and those based on interesting observations from life - everything from the fear of lizards, a fathers expectations from his son, auto rickshaw waalas or the stressful corporate life - guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.


Workshop
Starting on the day