Play Sandhya Chhaya brings forth issues faced by elderly

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, December 25

The five-day Prarampara Arts theatre festival concluded today with Hindi play ‘Sandhya Chhaya’ presented by the Theatre for Theatre Group under the direction of Sudesh Sharma at Randhawa Auditorium.

Adapted from Jayant Dalvi’s Marathi play in Hindi by Kusum Kumar, the play brought forth the old-age problems and laments of elderly persons through the life of old couples, fondly revered as Nana and Nani, who are cursed to live alone longing for the company of their progeny. While their elder son Deenu, is settled in the US, and the younger Nandu, serves in the Indian Air Force.

The couple, was shocked to learn that their son Nandu has laid down his life while fighting insurgents. Their agony gets compounded as the elder son marries a foreign national and decides to settle permanently in the US.

Their fate had conspired to leave them with the emotional turmoil due to the circumstances. Longing for affection, they seek solace in welcoming any unknown guest, attending to phone calls for a long time even in case of wrong numbers as also frequent interactions with their domestic help.

Finally, failing to compromise with rising torments when they were constrained to consume poison after a heated argument with elder son, the story takes a sudden twist as their servant returns with his wife blessed with a daughter.

The old couple gathers an inspiration and courage to fight out melancholy, loneliness and despair. Sudesh Sharma as Nana and Madhu Bala as Nani shined through the production.

Festival director Abhishek Sharma expressed gratitude to the artistes and audience who braved chilly weather and gave standing ovation to all the plays. Chief guest Bal Mukand Sharma honoured the artistes.