The play, In Search of Dariya Sagar, premieres in Bengaluru

A new play throws light on the identity crisis of the dispersed Sindhi community
In Search of Dariya Sagar
In Search of Dariya Sagar

The idea of one’s identity and ethnicity is an ever-evolving concept in today’s cosmopolitan and itinerant society. The inherent gratification one achieves with the sense of belonging is unmatchable. The play, In Search of Dariya Sagar, on stage in Bengaluru this week, by Mumbai-based theatre group, The Elephant and The Blind, delves into this thought of tracing one’s roots.

The Sindhi community is one ethnic group that has found a home in nearly every country of the world. While they pride themselves on their origin, the right to call a land their own is a question that remains. In the play, Jatin, a tour guide at the Gateway of India in Mumbai is someone who keeps questioning his identity and lives a lonely life. On the other hand, Tina, a teacher in an international school is trying to retrieve her heritage and language through her own attempts.  

This original play, written by Gerish Khemani and Akshat Nigam, came as a reaction from when Gerish was abroad. “In 2016, I was in Berlin on a scholarship. During improvisations in class, the teacher asked us to express ourselves in our mother tongues and I was clearly flummoxed. I was struck very deeply by the extent of my little connection with my own exiled past, history, heritage and homeland,” offers Gerish.
The play sees Jatin and Tina, together retrace their Sindhi community’s past and history. “What it means to be exiled from one’s homeland, what it means to not have a home, and what is home — these questions form the larger canvas,” concludes Gerish.

Rs 300. Sunday, 3.30 and 7.30 pm. At Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar

ayeshatabassum@newindianexpress.com
@aishatax

Related Stories

No stories found.
Indulgexpress
www.indulgexpress.com