A tragedy of modern times

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Apurva, a Jodhpur-based cultural organisation recently came up with a Hindi play, Anandita which portrayed the tragedy of modern times, where parents have no time for children and in the process children go astray with tragic consequences.

The play that was staged at The Ashok, recently had in its earlier performances in Jaipur and Jodhpur been highly loved by audiences.

The play is set in a house-cum-workshop of a goldsmith, which sees the man and his wife fight continously. Their constant tiffs ruins their present and overturns all the hopes for a better future. Each battle is fought and won or lost before the eyes of the Anandita, their 18-year old daughter who has been witnessing these fights ever since childhood.

A loner anyway, Anandita is devastated when her father gets involved in an extra-marital relationship with one of his customers. In moments of despair, Anandita tries reaching out to her childhood friend, but her mother is against her relationship with him. As Anandita is driven more and more into her shell her friend announces his plans to go abroad for higher education. When the pain becomes unbearable, Anandita too takes a decision.

Dr Rajiv, the writer and director of the play has made an excellent effort to explore the sub-conscious recesses of the minds of each individual.
DHNS