Whose woman is it?

Woman spends her life playing many a different characters immediate one’s being that of a daughter, a sister, a love interest, a wife, daughter in law and a mother. And not to forget many others like BFF, just friends, granddaughter, niece, aunt, mother in law and so many more.

In each of these roles, we see a different aspect of the woman. Corollary being, the man treats the woman differently depending on what relationships he holds with her at a point of time. Given the materialistic society we live in, the myriad shades of emotions and relationships vary with class and type of family.

While we remember Razia Sultan as the first monarch of Delhi, or Jhansi Bai inspires the men soldiers even today, we are smitten most by a certain Mumtaz that was the reason for a monument called the Taj Mahal. Love is so much part of our folklore, and so it is today, in the days of FaceBook and iPhones. Women in India now participate in all activities such as education, sports, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science and technology, to name a few – but the underlying emotions, especially those of belonging or being felt loved, remains the same.

Whatever role she plays, a woman seeks her day of belonging, of being recognized. And when she finds it, colours swell around her, rich, thick, like careless brushstrokes creating a whirlpool, that makes everyone’s heart dance. All this and much more, can be found in the life of Madona.

‘Madona’, the second production from Dhaaran, brings out multiple colours of woman in the form a rainbow of emotions – from wit and humour to love and heart-broken, from daughter and lover to servant and accomplished artiste. The protagonist’s emotional avalanche rides on high waves of situational comedy and emotional depths, supported by other well sketched characters knitted into the plot, who bring forth endearing qualities and add to the twists and turns of the main story.

This article is an review of a play I recently saw, produced by Dhaaran Productions, written by Namrta Dhar and staged at Alliance Franchaise on September 18, 2011

Gods Own Channel

Welcome to God Now, the supreme channel from the supreme himself!

On the prime time today, your channel will focus on one if the most burning topics – who should be the lokpal. On the panel tonight, we have a diverse section of people from many walks of life. We have with us Mr. Navjot Siddhu, Ex Captain of the Indian Cricket Team, Mr. Laloo Prasad, the iconic politician from Hindu heartland, Dr. Kiran Bedi. Ex-IPS officer and one of the flag bearers of the Jan Lokpal campaign, Mr. Harish Salve, a leading lawyer and renowned author and booker prize winner Ms. Arundhati Roy.
I will give one minute each to all first, and then we take this discussion further. Mr. Siddhu.

Siddhu: Thanks, am representing the cricket team today and not the opposition party. The government has taken a very wrong stance, and to top it, we don’t even know who the players are in their 11! I tell you, complete chaos on the field, everyone is bowling, batting and fielding at the same time. This way, our team will lose war even to Bangladesh. I think, government should not appoint the Lokpal, we should have alternative.

God Points to Laloo – ‘your turn sir’: We all are very responsible people elected by the masses. We know how to take care of corruption, internally and externally. You have to give 50-50 percent to everything, even success. Even I fight from two constituencies so that I win at least one. Will lokpal fight elections and face the people? I can. Give me the post, and I will finish corruption within 100 days.

God looks at Kiran – your take madam. Animatedly, I told you, I told you. We need the 101 helpline now. What do we need, the 101 helpline. What will people do if they are asked for bribes, call 101 helpline. And who will be there to hear at the other end, the Lokpal. If we need to change the electoral system, what do we do, call the 101 helpline. This 101 helpline will be the game changer. And who will be the Lokpal – our beloved Anna Hazare ji.

Arundhati Roy jumps in “My turn now, you see, there are so many poor and helpless people in rural area fighting for two square meals. Will a 101 helpline deliver them food? This entire Lokpal debate is a farce. This time and money should be used in a more intelligent way, it is the tax payers money right! We do not need Lokpal at all.

Harish Salve joins in, “I think, we should make a start somewhere, maybe one page draft with Job Description. I can help you prepare it. This can go through the proper channels – parliament, standing committee and then, we can have as many amendments, additions, referendums till we are satisfied. But the lokpal has to be somebody with clear conscience and who is acceptable.

Siddhu – I strongly recommend the God, Sachin Tendulkar, to be the first Lokpal. He will master the art within two practice sessions and, I tell you, he will score a century.

Harish – It should be someone from Judiciary

Kiran – Why not someone from police

Arundhati Roy - Police is the most corrupt

Laloo – It has to be a politician, only we know how to handle ticklish issues.

Siddhu – Chak De Phatte, if not Sachin, select Dhoni, he took India to No. 1 ranking in all forms of cricket. T20 world cup, ODI world Cup, can anyone match his credentials.

Arundhati – Oh, look at what happened in England. At least, I came back with Booker prize.

Kiran – that’s not a big deal. Even I have a rack full of medals and trophies, and even a PhD, You have. You Have. I have, without even looking at England. This is India’s Lokpal, Anna it should be.

Harish – Excuse me, but only Judiciary understands the nitty gritty of running an extra-constitutional body. Look at Dr. Santosh Hegde, even BSY could not stand his force. He wrote a 20,000 page report on just mining issue – you guys will write just one page FIR or 200 page fiction novel.

Laloo – Arrey, story toh I can tell anytime. How many pages do you want. Any politician will do that.

Kiran – Lalooji, I see you sleeping in loksabha all the time, what do you do, sleep. And here we are discussing Lokpal, 24X7 duty, the 101 helpline.

Laloo – Oh, as if the police are clean Eh!

Arundhati – Now see this, I thought, this was going to be a intellectual debate.

Siddhu – (Shaking is head) – The pitch condition is going from bad to worse.

Harish – I repeat, it is not the legislative, not the executive, but it is judiciary that is supreme.

God steps in – Interesting conversation here, and you can carry it at the coffee shop behind our office. To my viewers, let me say one thing, it is the Jan Lokpal that you have to select. Make a wise decision. Avoid anything that is remotely corrupt. End of the day, we know, where you will go to pray!