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ART & LITERATURE
Ambika Kucheria is a freelance writer, writing on subjects ranging from human rights to fashion stories, business articles to stage scripts. She was born in New Delhi, India, and presently lives in Jain Educational London UK
around were raided. The critical missing bits were sourced from India. This involved an even wider net of people in the production.
IT MADE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE BUSY LEADING THEIR SEPARATE LIVES possibly for the first time, COME TOGETHER
The dress rehearsal was the first time when all the various participants - actors, music and light technicians, backstage workers, organisers and the samanijis - came together. It was a strangely unnerving and yet, reassuring experience. On the one hand, and possibly as expected, lots of things did not fall into place - costumes did not fit, the music jarred, props still needed much work, actors forgot their lines and the play ending was chopped and changed. On the other hand, and
all present realised they were part of something much bigger than they had comprehended
when saying a meek 'yes' six months ago. Good intentions were visible in the advice of the seniors and in the tea being offered around by the young helpers.
In fact, the dress rehearsal, despite its proximity to the performance day, was a turning point in the story of the play. Everyone came out with a better understanding of their role in the play: as actors, as backstage workers, as coordinators, as helpers, as a team. The determination to give the show their best shot was now redoubled.
On a chilly November evening, Chandanbala was staged in front of a packed audience of 500. The rest, as they say, is history. The performance of the Jain musical was an undisputed success. The acting
was powerful, the sets and costumes appropriate, the lights and music blended and the organisation was very professional. Little elements like the presentation of the programme by the famous Sunrise Radio presenter Sarita Sabharwal and the serving of dinner after the show were added bonuses. The play received much media attention and even invitations came to perform in other cities. Importantly, the play also met its objective of raising substantial funds for the proposed new JVB centre in London.
However, performing Chandanbala achieved something more than all these accolades, something intangible yet more significant. It made individuals who were busy leading their separate lives come together and appreciate the power and potential of a community, thereby raising their spirits. It was an expression of hope. And that is special..
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photo courtesy
of Chandu Shah
www.jainelibrary.org
