A Year Later
The age-old theatre was restored and its black basalt pillars were carved in old Buddhist tradition. Though the stage was kept intact in its original form, the courtyard in front was rebuilt to accommodate a larger audience and for better acoustics. The original stage now had a roof and wings. Extension buildings were added to accommodate the entire cast and crew, and act as makeup and changing rooms.
The atmosphere was festive. The main road used to enter the village and that led towards theatre was decorated with colourful paper streamers, and elaborate flower arrangements. People smiled easily, you could feel the happiness in the atmosphere.
Highly esteemed theatre companies from all over the world had descended upon the village to perform in the first ever “Janaki Trivedi Alternative Theatre Festival." One could hear happy conversations in a dozen different international languages.
The construction activity since the last few months outside the village was showing results. Brand new luxury hotels had come up there.
Today, the first day of the festival belonged to Janaki. A local group guided by Niranjan, with help of the fresh manuscript that Kavita left back and notes from the past and present, was to perform Janaki’s play in its original form and original language.
Pragya bhabhi was looking at all the happy activity with moist eyes. She remembered Kavita and her passion. She wiped her tears and turned around.
Niranjan, who was standing behind her asked, “What happened Bhabhi?”
“Nothing, just felt Kavita’s presence here. Her passing has triggered so many questions, adding mystique to the already mysterious story of Janaki’s life. She left the world and so the world sat up and took notice. And now Janaki’s wildly popular play is doing its magic. All those people came here in search of both Kavita and Janaki. Today, theatre has come alive once again. Nobody hesitates to discuss the mysteries of life anymore, or shies away from ancient theories. This would have never happened if Kavita was here. She would have been teaching in the U.S.A and as for Janaki’s play, some random group would have performed it in some part of the world we haven’t even heard of.”
Niranjan simply nodded. In his heart, he knew she was right.
About the Author
Travel agent by profession, Aparna has written short stories in Marathi. Her first book of short stories won the Sarvajanik Vachanalay Nasik P.N. Pandit Puraskar. Less in quantity of her repertoire but Aparna has scripted radio plays, radio serials, and she has also written for UNICEF. Also to her credit is a newspaper column in the Sunday edition of the leading Marathi daily for a year.
Arghya meaning Anjoli or morning offering to the sun has been published in the Diwali edition of a leading Marathi magazine. The English version is to reach wider audience.
Arghya Page 5