(Simemezelo Xulu; Zanele Mkhize; Londiwe Ngwazi and Buhle Mazibuko)The Durban University of Technology Drama and Production Studies Department is proud to present Shakuntala; a fifth-century classical Sanskrit masterpiece. Directed by Robin Singh, Senior Lecturer at DUT Drama Studies, the production features DUT undergraduate Drama students.
Acknowledged as an “ancient gem”, Shakuntala tells the story of a king (Dushyanta) who falls in love with a girl of humble origins, the beautiful Shakuntala. These plans are thwarted when an ill-tempered hermit curses the golden lotus Shakuntala for neglecting him. The curse results in the king forgetting who she is. But fate has a way of righting all wrongs and intervenes.
“Since the law of karma mechanically dispenses a kind of cosmic justice for every thought, word and deed, no occurrence in human life can be considered really tragic – hence the entire absence of tragedy in these classical forms – in fact the representation of death on stage is forbidden,” explains director Robin Singh. Therefore true love is destined to win the day.
Shakuntala by Kalidasa is a project that pushes boundaries and sets challenges. Poet, spiritual leader and social activist, Rabindranath Tagore described the play as an allegory in which the fibres of physical passion are toughened by pain and separation into a deep domestic, semi-spiritual love.
“In classical Indian theatre, which includes dance and music, the performance is arranged around a number of sentiments (rasas) and a single play may incorporate several,” continues Singh. “Although Sanskrit works includes numerous rasas, some prove more prominent than others, for example in Shakuntala we identify the principal emotions of desire, affection, erotic longing, sadness – although we do see elements of the comic and heroic as well.”
A large cast in rich fabrics sport costume design by Robin Singh and Vasugi Singh - a trained classical Indian dancer who is also serving as cultural advisor for this production. The set is a collaborative design by Robin Singh, Marcia Peschke and Professor Deborah Lutge. Lighting design is by Courtyard Theatre Manager Mthandazo Mofokeng, who won the Best Technicians award at the Grahamstown National Arts Festivals in 2010 and 2011.
Shakuntala can be seen from May 20 to 25 with performances at 19h00 at the DUT Courtyard Theatre, Steve Biko Road. Tickets R20 at the door or booked through Lebohang Sibisi on 031 373 2194. Parking through Gate 4.
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