Rehearsed readings on the Rooftop at 11AM

October 27 Lysistrata by Aristophanes

Directed by Sri Vamsi Matta and Sanjna Bannerjee

Duration: 50 minutes ¦ Language: Hindi, Bhojpuri


 Set in Bihar, in the middle of a land-grab situation, the women of Ara and Saran, led by Lysistrata, determined to take matters into their own hands, force the men to stop fighting. The truth is, the mining company is the one who is taking real advantage of the fight. Lysistrata expounds her scheme- they stage a sex strike – the withdrawal of sexual favours until the fight ends. Both the men and women argue, fight it out, and eventually welcome the new change that was intended. After both the parties agree upon the change, Lysistrata gives the women back to the men and a great celebration ensues. The playwright has intended it as a farcical comedy that would morph into an earnest piece of social realism.

Why this play?

 The play affords a witty and bold treatment to something that has caused controversy throughout history – women exerting sexual autonomy actively. The play also gives us scope to examine and present the political value of domestic labor. It declares sociopolitical juggernauts of any civilization would not move unless the basic support of domestic maintenance was not painstakingly ensured. The section of society, here – the women, who do that have to be thus valued, considered and consulted in sociopolitical decision making leads to a society which ignores their advice does so at it’s own loss and peril. Though an ancient Greek comedy, a theme highly relevant in the context of current economic and political situations in our country, is explored. It presents the challenge of maintaining the boldness, oftentimes crudeness, of it’s humor, while painting a strong and nuanced picture of the issues at hand. 


October 28 Raamji Aayenge written by Abhinav Grover

 Directed by Abhinav Grover

Duration: 75 minutes | Language: Hindi 


Two Vaanars, Bhonpu and Peepee, are waiting for Bhaguaa on Kishkindha Parvat. A big statue of the previous ruler Bandar Raaja has been demolished. It is a time of major civil unrest now. Humans (Insaan) have formed their own new government and their relations with the original inhabitants, the Bandars, are not very cordial.

The duo talks about what to do now. They deal  with boredom in their own ways and pass the time.
Enter Hariya, a human, and his servant Lullu. They come to where both the Vaanars are waiting. Hariya is happy to meet living beings since it is very difficult to find living creatures on this vast land now. He decides to stay there and pass his time. They talk and he realises that both of them are waiting for another human called Bhaguaa. He is intrigued by this man and wants to know more about him. Peepee is very upset to see the state in which he has kept Lullu. Peepee demands an a justification for this injustice. Hariya in turn offers them  a bribe of four sweet mangoes. They have to make a choice now and they do.
Soon, Hariya leaves with Lullu to exchange him in the market because he is of no more use to him. Enter a Sainik (soldier) who tells them that Bhaguaa wouldn’t be coming that day since he was busy with some family matter and would instead, come the next day. Bhonpu gets angry and starts yelling at the Sainik. The agitated Sainik’s reply is that he would have to punish the Vaanars. The scared Peepee begs for forgiveness which the soldier eventually grants.
Dejected, they all sit thinking about their fates and decide to leave but don’t move.

Why this play?

I was very fascinated by the idea of the play when I read it back in my Drama School days. However when I read the play I could not understand it much.
I went to learn Yakshagana after Drama School and my guruji Guruji Shri Sanjeev Suvarna directed a Yakshagana prasang ‘Lankini Moksha’ in which all the Vaanars go in search of Sita and realise it’s not their battle they are just common men stuck in the middle. I really liked how he made Ramayana relevant today.
I wanted to do something similar and Godot’s idea had stayed with me for a while now. Suddenly I could see an intertextuality between Godot and Kishkindha Kand when Rama after defeating Bali come to Kishkindha Parvat to crown Sugreev.
I pitched the idea for a residency program to Mr. Sunil Shanbagh who really liked it and invited me and my team to work on this experiment for ten days at Studio Tamaasha. It was during this time I developed the text.

November 3 –  Aatankavaadiya Aakasmika Saavu written by Surendranath S

Directed by Sandeep Pai
Duration- 1 hour (65 minutes to be precise) Language – Kannada


The play opens with an inspector interrogating The Maniac, a histrionic character, on the first floor of the police station. The Maniac, however, constantly outsmarts the dim-witted inspector and, when the inspector leaves the room, intercepts a phone call from another inspector. The phone call lets the Maniac know that a judge is due at the police station to investigate the interrogation and death of the anarchist. The Maniac decides to impersonate the judge, and successfully does so. He gets the police to re-enact the events, in the actual fourth floor room, and also involves a woman journalist who is trying to probe the events. The play ends in suspension when the journalist and consequently the audience are left to decide the fate of the guilty officers.


Why this play?

This play has given us not just one-two-three but numerous insight to all the actors of this play. This play has been giving us enthralling experiences every time we go on stage
Let me make it clear, this play will NOT give any solution or answer but questioning begins. We always at the end of the show are/were always confused of we achieved what we had to in the performance? The questions are endless? So, we are always exploring this performance with more questions added at the end of every show

November 4 –  Meerut

Directed by Ramneek Singh
Duration- 50 minutes written by Ramneek Singh


Amidst the sugarcane farmers’ struggle in an election year, shaping what is to become communal and political upheaval in Meerut, this is a love story. Caught between loving and of defying the social mores, two young lovers must become warriors.
Or, face betrayal. Even death.


Madhumay Sinha, Amit Aggarwal, Amit Sharma, Akhshay Gandhi, Mayuresh Nirhali, Avantika Gautam, Faria Fatma, Deevas Gupta.