There is good news for those who closely follow the wonderful works of Gulzar, Bollywood’s most celebrated poet, script writer, lyricist and film director.
A Hindi play titled Guldasta by Gulzar will be staged by Rangmanch on October 21 at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium in Indian High School from 8:30pm.
Guldasta, which means a bouquet of flowers, is a fusion of sounds, rhythms and images of the vibrant city life. The show is a vivacious collage of stories and will include a few poems written by Gulzar.
Gulzar saab, as he is popularly known, is a poet above all. His style marks a sensitivity that is best reflected through his writings and treatment of films. He is one of those sensitive people whose work is laced with the lyrical and psychologically adept examination of human sensibilities.
The play's ensemble cast includes film and television actors such as Yashpal Sharma of Lagaan, Apaharan and Singh is King fame, as well as Lubna Salim who played one of the main characters in television serial Ba Bahoo Aur Baby.
Other actors include Amit Jairath, Anand Alkunte, Pratik Kothari, Sumit Goswami and Salim Arif. Written by Gulzar, the play has been designed and directed by Salim Arif.
Guldasta will showcase a collection of five short stories laced with the lyrical and psychologically adept examination of human sensibilities. Here’s a sneak peak…
Hisaab Kitaab deals with middle-class preoccupation with the wedding of their children. It is also an occasion that is often used to strike deals between families. The beauty of the deal is that both of the parties involved think that they have managed a good bargain in the process of this engagement.
Baas is a satirical look at the improved life of a slum dweller who is now living in a one-room flat. A monologue depicts the viewpoint of a woman slum dweller who feels caged in a one-room tenement, revealing a rare, humane insight to the notion of redevelopment and rehabilitation. The poor woman who was happy with her life in an open colony with caring neighbours is now leading a lonely life in the concrete jungle of the metropolis.
Hilsa is an amusing story about a man forced to stay at home on the day of curfew in a metropolis. The man only has a black and white television set and a busy wife to keep company on a day when he is feeling quite useless without any substantial chore to do. The wife on the other hand has Hilsa, a well-known fish delicacy in Bengal, to cook at home and the day of curfew becomes a day of leisure and feasting for this man who finds it difficult to kill time.
Jhhadi is an interesting look at the life of another slum dweller caught in a competition with rains in Mumbai.
Atthanni is the story of a classic underdog making his life worthwhile in the metro street. This city of dreams receives thousands of immigrants every day; who arrive with hopes of making a living. Only a few manage to achieve their dreams, the rest spend their lives with aspirations of fulfilling their dreams someday.
Tickets for the show are available at Sukh Sagar restaurant (JBR and Karama branch) and Rangmanch Office (Sheikh Zayed Road, Khalid Al Attar Building. Room 402 Crowne Plaza side. The building is also home to CoCos Restaurant and Burger King).
Title: Guldasta by Gulzar
Date: October 21, 2010
Venue: Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School
Time: 8.30 pm onwards
Medium: Hindi
Tickets: Dh200, Dh100 and Dh50