Taking literature to the stage

The Ank Theatre Group is presenting its 80th production, Mitro Marjani, on June 13 and 14 and Prithvi Theatre. The play, which premiered at the NCPA festival last month, is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, by Hindi writer Krishna Sobti. The story is of Mitro, a Punjabi woman who marries into a conventional family and is unconventional is her expressive nature of her sexual needs.

Lead actress Preeta Mathur says, “The story idea of the play is that, especially in a joint family, there are conflicts between members if all is not well behind the closed doors of the bedroom. Playing Mitro was a challenge because, as an actor I had to drop many inhibitions to take on the role.”

The play is set in a bare space, with no sets, or props, and is directed by Devendra Raj Anjur who is know for his minimal property storytelling style. Without the sets, the weight lies on the actors and how they deliver the story in a format which is not just an enactment neither just an adaptation.

“My work over 38 years has related to presenting pieces of literature on stage and so the group asked me to direct this piece.” About the topic and it’s relevance, Devendra says, “Everyone has sexual desires, but they don’t express them, because of their sophistication. The play, written in the late ’60s, is easier to present now, because the subject is not as prohibited in performing arts now as it was then.”