Being NSD’s own production, the play was a smart experiment that used an English title for a Hindi play. The director M. Muzamil Hayat Bhawani used a narrative that fused various mediums – stage craft, props, actors, songs and multimedia. Blue envelopes (?) fell from the stage ceiling throughout the play. Refugees walked across from one corner of the stage to another with house structures on their shoulder. Lovers quietly exchanges love envelopes. The gun trotting terrorist took a break to play cricket with his moholla pals. The man in shackles recited a poem about longing and desire. The Kashmir conflict notwithstanding, life went on.
The play was unapologetic about the gimmicks and was a mélange that displayed – yes!- the confusing relationship between Kashmir and India. With oodles of sensitivity, in a remarkable span of 45 minutes, the play conveyed the impact of the problem on common people. The stunts teased the senses and were visual as well as conceptual delight. That said, the Jana-Gana-Mana seemed contrived
However, any experiment deserves encouragement. That said, not relying on any one element of theatre but using multiple mediums and breaking away from specific actor centric productions -– the harmonious production – showed impressive clarity on the part of the director. As a composite whole, this one is a winner.
The Bharat Rang Mahotsav throws a lot of surprises. “The Country without a Post Office” was one such prodcution that brightly reflected the spirit of the Mahotsav. Amen to that.
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