Theatreperson Divya Palat's production on Mumbai 26/11 survivors is selected for the prestigious New York Fringe Festival; its profits will go to the Mumbai police fund.
For the cast and crew of the play A Personal War it could not have been a better gift than this one. The play, once shown in Edinburgh, has been selected amongst 10,000 plays globally, for the celebrated New York Fringe Festival. What’s more — it’s the only Indian representation there.
The play is a brainchild of theatreperson Divya Palat, who directs and even acts in the play. She says, “It’s such exciting news. You know, I was told of the selection some time ago but didn’t talk of this as I wanted things to fall into place well.”
It isn’t easy she explains, taking a production to a global city like New York as it gets very expensive. “The travel, stay etc., all had to be thought of as we were taking an eight member cast to the Big Apple for 10-12 days.”
In terms of funding, help for this trip came from an unexpected quarter. “I was worried over sponsorship. But Union Bank of India, who is taking us, agreed as they loved the subject,” she explains.
The play (based on a real-life survivors’ story of the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack), focuses on seven people in different parts of the city.
For this, Divya contacted the real survivors and compiled their feelings to make one amalgamated monologue. “I chose to focus on them (the seven people) as I wanted to cover who they are. They are all funny interesting people who fate brought together that night.”
While Divya says American Consul General Paul Folmsbee plans to make a trip specially to watch the play, several Indian organisations in NY have already contacted her and exhibited a keenness to watch it too. “It’s an incredibly touching play and I guess it makes a connect with people in New York as they have faced the same thing. Our play highlights the fact that a terror act survivor in India is not different from one in New York or London, so why are we dividing the world? It’s wrong to use a religious title or skin colour to segregate people!” she states. Divya will give all profits made from the play towards the Mumbai Police Commissioners Fund.
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