About The Event
PEN - A Play
The life and writings of a poet or writer deeply influence
each other. The values he aspires to in his writing are born in solitude,
travel outward into the world, and ultimately resonate within the solitude of a
sensitive reader. To sit with such a poet and speak about his life or his works
is, in a way, to speak about the behaviour and nature of people of a particular
time.
The play “Pen” unfolds as a unique theatrical experiment of
this kind. However, it does not remain merely an interview with a poet;
instead, it opens up four distinct narrative strands before the audience. Two actors
portray a total of fourteen characters on stage. Beginning with a conversation
with the poet, the play gradually branches into different storylines, reminding
individuals of their guilt through their actions and reactions.
Though the narratives may appear separate, an intangible
connection runs throughout the play. It explores layered themes such as: a poet
who goes to a bank to pledge his poems for a loan; the futile attempts of two
young lovers trying to cross social boundaries; a man and a woman striving to
break down established walls to fulfil their emotional desires; the unnecessary
innocence of someone who never wishes to retire; and the poet’s clarity about
love and relationships.
Through these multiple layers, “Pen” reveals a rich and
thought-provoking essence. Acclaimed artists of Hongirana, Comedy Kiladi fame Chandru
Hiregonigere and Lakshmi Nivasa Venki fame Chandrashekhara Shastri, bring deep emotional
resonance to this experimental production through their distinctive
performances.
