This story is from July 20, 2019

Ganga, Yamuna, Taj Mahal ‘fight Pollution’ in this courtroom drama in Delhi

The courtroom set up at the India Habitat Centre’s (IHC) Stein Auditorium on Saturday had ‘Pollution’ as the defendant, and Ganga, Yamuna and Taj Mahal testifying against him. The defendant was accused of a range of crimes, from causing global warming to yellowing the pristine white walls of the Taj. This was the central premise of Pollution Hazir Ho, a satirical act directed by Dr M Sayeed Alam, which was staged in the city recently.
Ganga, Yamuna, Taj Mahal ‘fight Pollution’ in this courtroom drama in Delhi
Bahurupiya Kapil played the role of pollution
The courtroom set up at the India Habitat Centre’s (IHC) Stein Auditorium on Saturday had ‘Pollution’ as the defendant, and Ganga, Yamuna and Taj Mahal testifying against him. The defendant was accused of a range of crimes, from causing global warming to yellowing the pristine white walls of the Taj. This was the central premise of Pollution Hazir Ho, a satirical act directed by Dr M Sayeed Alam, which was staged in the city recently.

What made it a gripping courtroom drama was the fact that instead of professional theatre artistes, the show featured 14 street performers, including snake charmers, bahurupiyas and magicians from Haryana, Rajasthan and the Kathputhli Colony in Delhi. The play kicked off with Pollution defending himself, saying he was on this earth not out of his own will, but that he was a child of humans and human creations such as science and industry. Environment alleged that the “muzrim”, Pollution, had threatened her with injuries through global warming and disfigurement through acid rain, if she did not accept his marriage proposal.
Ganga alleged that in trying to heal and treat pollution by washing away his sins, the two got so close together that they became almost one. Yamuna alleged that she was in a relationship with Pollution, and the two stayed together in Delhi. Over a couple of years, however, their toxic relationship reduced her to a stream at some places. Taj Mahal, who had been in love with the Yamuna for centuries, accused Pollution of waylaying her (Yamuna shrunk and moved 500m away from him) and then destroying her. Packed with puns and a heavy dose of satire, the 60-minute play introduced street performers to the professional stage.
NIS3
Snake charmers played been or pungi (wind music instruments) as a background score for the courtroom scene
Snake charmers played been or pungi (wind music instruments) as a background score for the courtroom scene
‘They are like free birds, who don’t believe in following the script’
Talking about his experience of working with the street performers, Dr Sayeed said, “In more than two decades of my professional life, I have always worked with professional actors who are well-versed in multiple languages. So, working with these artists took me out of my comfort zone. They are like free birds, who don’t believe in following the script at all. They are performing artistes who like to improvise. As a director, I had to find a blend between the art of performing within four walls and a roof on top, and the art of performing on streets.”

Navina Jafa from the Centre for New Perspectives, the NGO that organised the play and collaborated with Dr Sayeed, noted that the main task was to blend the informal skill of street performers with the formal skill of stage artists. “It was an exciting one week of rehearsals with them. These performers have always worked in open spaces and it is like creating a bonsai out of a tree,” she said.
NIS8
Bahurupiya Shanker Rao played the role of environment
Bahurupiya Shanker Rao played the role of environment
Makeup done using only watercolours and Maachis Ki Tilli
Dr Sayeed added, “Another challenge was getting the language and diction right. For instance, Environment (played by bahurupiya Shanker Rao) would always say ‘global warning’, instead of ‘global warming’, and I did not really mind that. I learned a lot from them. They do wonderful makeup, and something that sustains for hours, even if you are performing in June-July ki garmi. They only used watercolours and maachis ki tilli for makeup. They also told me they loved working in this format as they got a chance to rehearse and perform in AC halls.”
NIS14
Puppeteer Khushi Bhat played Ganga
Puppeteer Khushi Bhat played Ganga
NIS17
Puppeteer Dipali Bhatt from Kathputli Colony played the part of Yamuna and spoke in a south Delhi girl’s accent
Puppeteer Dipali Bhatt from Kathputli Colony played the part of Yamuna and spoke in a south Delhi girl’s accent
NIS21
Bahurupiya Manoj Rao donned the role of Taj Mahal
Bahurupiya Manoj Rao donned the role of Taj Mahal
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA