<p>The underlying message of the play was the need to preserve the religious, cultural and philosophical traditions of India that find no place in urban India today.<br /><br />The play took a dig at the mall culture and the absence of roots among the upper middle class in India; most of them sadly stuck in the vicious cycle of materialistic fulfilment. <br /><br />It also spoke of urban India’s fascination with the white skin and the lack of nationalist sentiments among the young.<br /><br />The story revolved around an upper middle class Maharastrian family in Mumbai whose patriarch Dr Deshpande leads a semi-retired life with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson. <br /><br />Deshpande is a good Samaritan who finds employment for a Muslim boy, Ali, the husband of the family’s maid, in a hotel. At the hotel, Ali discovers a plot to bomb the Siddhivinayak Temple. <br /><br />The plot is thatched by Skarne, a European terrorist, who intends to create religious disharmony through his devious plans. <br /><br />Skarner’s role was beautifully portrayed by Rajat Kaul, who depicts a disgruntled India-hating Westerner.<br /><br />The story unfolds with Ali informing Deshpande about the evil Skarner and Mumbai being miraculously saved by Lord Ganesha because of their prayers. <br /><br />The storyline, though unreal, made a mockery of our Urban Views. <br /><br />The scene between Deshpande and his daughter-in-law Madhavi, describing the richness of our culture was an eye-opener to many in the audience. <br /><br />Dharinee Bapat as the enlightened daughter-in-law Madhavi, requires special mention for depicting the powerful character with conviction. <br /><br />Dilip Merla, as her disinterested husband, portrayed the quintessential urban lad whose only ambition in life is to make pot loads of money. He was a delight to watch.<br /><br />Parimala Shivaraman, a member of the audience, said, “This play is very relevant in our times and has a wonderful message. It is applicable to the present generation who are getting Westernised at an alarming pace. I am a grandmother and have seen three generations in my family. I find it very hard to inculcate our culture in my grandchildren. This is a wonderful medium and many more such plays need to be shown.”</p>
<p>The underlying message of the play was the need to preserve the religious, cultural and philosophical traditions of India that find no place in urban India today.<br /><br />The play took a dig at the mall culture and the absence of roots among the upper middle class in India; most of them sadly stuck in the vicious cycle of materialistic fulfilment. <br /><br />It also spoke of urban India’s fascination with the white skin and the lack of nationalist sentiments among the young.<br /><br />The story revolved around an upper middle class Maharastrian family in Mumbai whose patriarch Dr Deshpande leads a semi-retired life with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson. <br /><br />Deshpande is a good Samaritan who finds employment for a Muslim boy, Ali, the husband of the family’s maid, in a hotel. At the hotel, Ali discovers a plot to bomb the Siddhivinayak Temple. <br /><br />The plot is thatched by Skarne, a European terrorist, who intends to create religious disharmony through his devious plans. <br /><br />Skarner’s role was beautifully portrayed by Rajat Kaul, who depicts a disgruntled India-hating Westerner.<br /><br />The story unfolds with Ali informing Deshpande about the evil Skarner and Mumbai being miraculously saved by Lord Ganesha because of their prayers. <br /><br />The storyline, though unreal, made a mockery of our Urban Views. <br /><br />The scene between Deshpande and his daughter-in-law Madhavi, describing the richness of our culture was an eye-opener to many in the audience. <br /><br />Dharinee Bapat as the enlightened daughter-in-law Madhavi, requires special mention for depicting the powerful character with conviction. <br /><br />Dilip Merla, as her disinterested husband, portrayed the quintessential urban lad whose only ambition in life is to make pot loads of money. He was a delight to watch.<br /><br />Parimala Shivaraman, a member of the audience, said, “This play is very relevant in our times and has a wonderful message. It is applicable to the present generation who are getting Westernised at an alarming pace. I am a grandmother and have seen three generations in my family. I find it very hard to inculcate our culture in my grandchildren. This is a wonderful medium and many more such plays need to be shown.”</p>
