 Makarand Deshpande’s JOKE is a precious play because it presents otherwise disinteresting doctrinal arguments in an exceptionally lyrical tenor. Makarand remarkably balances out elements of humor, philosophy and emotion in his script. The play introduces us to Sandeep Joshi (Makarand Deshpande), a writer, who has set out to forsake religion. He cites several reasons for his decision- the bipolarity that religion breeds, the lack of tangible evidence for religious ideologies, hypocrisy and the need for novelty. As the play moves ahead, his doting wife Radhika, and a few others help him rediscover his faith again but differently this time around. Sandeep surrenders his faith in multiple Gods that breed difference, and reinstates it instead in the myth of the fairy. A myth he finds all the more enticing because it is yet to be completely discovered. The events that lead up to the end are kaleidoscopic segments dealing with faith, coincidence and love.
Makarand’s direction, acting and writing are all like fireworks on the verge. He beautifully cuts the stage into two halves and instills it with the magic of the unseen; keeping the audience gummed up to his lines at all times with epiphanies and poetry. Debates around ideology, habitual faith and religious practices are intercut with many lighter moments of contemporary humour and instances of effervescent love thereby giving JOKE a subtle fluidity. Abir Abrar is splendid and effortless as Sandeep Joshi’s somewhat placid better half Radhika. Nivedita Bhattacharya too makes a dashing show as the policewoman Sangeeta. Her comic timing is faultless and engaging.
Riveting sound effects, music, lighting as well as elements of mysticism, dream narrative and surrealism, turn the stage into an artwork of larger than life moments.
JOKE is a play you watch not once, but over and over, for it takes on a new meaning with each time you reflect upon it.
Asma Ladha |
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