Echoes of the outside world

Evergreen concept

Members of ‘Playpen’ will present Gurcharan Das’ ‘9 Jakhoo Hill’ on March 4, 7.30 pm, at Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar, March 5 and 6, 7.30 pm, at Jagriti Theatre and on March 12, 7.30 pm, at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleswaram. The production will be staged as part of the ‘Deccan Herald Theatre Festival’.

‘9 Jakhoo Hill’ is set in 1962 Shimla, during Diwali 1962 and comprise situations that delve into the declining socio-political order. The political turmoil and disillusionment of the outside world, India's demoralising war with China, the gradual decline of Nehruvian ideals and optimism is echoed in the sitting room of ‘9 Jakhoo Hill’.

A once well- to-do family watches in incomprehension as their world disintegrates in the face of a brash new social-climbing middle- class. During partition, two families – that of a house owner and a tenant migrate to India. The plot is about a family and their fierce loyalty to one another. They are also dealing with loss of ‘their way of life’ insecurities, anger and taboo subjects like incest.

The characters reflect social status and values of the contemporary society. The play presents the theme of decadence in a modern family and social realism in the ever changing socio-economic order. It also delves in disorder in the order, traditional structures of caste and class conciousness. Despite being three decades old, the theme is revered and relevant even today. The theme resonates with the urban theatre audience in India.

The play is directed by Ashish Sen and the cast includes Rohn Malhotra, Ameet Bhuvan, Rubi Chakravarti, Munira Sen, Rakhi Bose and Mikhail Sen. Tickets are available at the Deccan Herald office, the venues and on www.bookmyshow.com