Indian Ensemble, a Bengaluru-based theatre organisation, which has staged some landmark productions, presents Mi’raj , developed as part of their playwriting programme. Written by Nisha Abdullah and directed by Chanakya Vyas, Mi’raj was staged at Atta Galatta, the first play to be staged as part of Indian Ensemble’s new initiative, Studio.
The play, which will be staged again at Atta Galatta, is about a bright, young Muslim boy, Tariq who goes through a journey between doubt and faith to ultimately joining the ISIS.
Nisha says that ISIS is just a foreground of the play. “The theme is not about ISIS. The idea of the play is to look at how people engage with faith. What forms the boundaries of belief? What is the cost of belief? What is the cost of not believing?” The questioning of faith, she adds, is not restricted to one particular religion. Faith forms an important part of a human being’s life, even those who are atheists - they too have a belief system. To the audience, doubt, faith and disillusionment form the crux of the play. But Nisha explains: “Unless you have strong faith, you won’t question it. Also, belief manifests in different ways. Initially, Tariq is a liberal. But then during the course of the play there is clash between how he is brought up and what makes him go over to the other side. And that questions the cost of belief.” There is another layer that Nisha has explored. “There is also a larger question of what religion does collectively.”
The play has some powerful performances and neat direction. Just as the plot is multi-layered, so too the characters have elements of grey. Tariq’s mother, for example, who is a modern, liberal woman, is also a woman of strong faith. There are no villains or heroes. It is really an exploration of the depths of our own minds and hearts.
Mi’raj will be staged on August 25 at Atta Galatta, Koramangala, at 7.30 p.m. For details call 9535887004.
