When Ismat Chugtai penned the short story Lihaaf (The Quilt) in 1942, it created a huge furore in literary circles. The story, which explores a lesbian relationship, wasn’t received kindly by people back then. Seven decades later, Ismat’s story continues to make an impression. The founders of city-based theatre group, Playtonik Productions, who were in search of an interesting story to tell, picked up Lihaaf and will be staging an adaptation this weekend, a solo performance by Rolly Agarwal.
“Certain stories are timeless and Lihaaf is one such tale. At times, a few plays seem dated because the language they have been written in might not be understood by today’s generation. But with Lihaaf, it’s different because Ismat Chugtai has written it using such simple text and yet it is lyrical,” says Rolly. It is the tale of Begum Jaan who is married to a nawaab. Although beautiful, Begum is left craving for physical and emotional love because the nawaab is interested in men. Staged in London earlier this year, the story implies that Begum gets into a relationship with her maid.
“The sutradhar (narrator) of the play takes on different roles and tells the story through the perspective of a child, the neice of the protagonist,” says Deeban Chakravarthy, director and one of the co-founders of the group. At two crucial points in the performance, the team has included a ghazal and a lullaby to enhance the emotions. “The innocent portrayal of such hard-hitting ideas and issues through the eyes of child is what impressed us,” says Rolly.
Rs 250. Saturday and Sunday. At Untitled Space, JP Nagar and Courtyard Koota Bengaluru, Kambipura Village
ayeshatabassum@newindianexpress.com
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