CONTACT PLAYWRIGHT

Synopsis

The plays in Volume 6 reflect on the continued Western orientation of Indian communities till today. As a character in Salt Licks says: “Go West, young man, to redis­cover the East. And don't be in a hurry to get back”. Three plays in the publication series refer to a peculiarly Bangalore society of elders fixated in the Raj, calling themselves the Empire Loyalists. If it was ‘Great Britain’ at one time, it was the American Dream later. In the pre-liberalized economy, young people went to extremes to get admission in American colleges and universities – any university, any course, any location, it was only important to get there first. And yet … there was something so human in their dreams. The plays have stayed away from moralistic social commentary. They embrace the social context of the times. They celebrate the human spirit. The content of the play might appear familiar to some. It cannot be helped, I suppose. It is the Indian subcontinent Gymkhana syndrome. Here is the standard disclaimer: The play is not about any particular club, nor about any particular people, as tempting as it might be to draw some comparisons, and any resemblance, etc. The characters of Muthu and Sebastian need special attention. It will be seen that they speak our kind of English, quite fluently, when they are talking to one another. They speak another English when they are talking to members of the club. In readings of this play this has been recognized as a fascinating feature of the play, Muthu and Sebastian pandering to the needs of the members. Their self-fulfilling prophecies? I have been urged to retain it. It is retained. When Sebastian discovers himself towards the end of the play, his language also changes.

Duration

110   Minutes

No of characters

11