(Back:
Arno Wagenaar, Kamini Govender, Shirvedh Pillay, Sashin Kandhai, Prenasha Govindasamy,
Rowin Munsamy, Christiaan du Plessis and Calavani Govender. Front: Renaldo
Mudaly, Camilla Wolfson and Irinka Nelson)
Bollywood comes to the Square Space Theatre!
Even though the performing area of this theatre is not large, choreographer
Sashin Kandhai has made full use of the Square Space in some good dance
sequences, complete with the gorgeous costumes that go with the Indian culture.
However, it’s not all about Indian folk
dance, Bharatanatyam and contemporary Indian dance styles. There is a strong
storyline which kicks into gear in the second half and offers some very
dramatic as well as poignant scenes. Written and directed by Verne Munsamy and is
set in the heart of India, Consenting
Silence: Shanti Manjur deals with a group of university students who enjoy
watching Bollywood movies, hence the introduction of the dance sequences.
Manish and Damini are in love, Damini
having rejected the advances of Ajith who was a former friend of Manish. Damini’s
father strictly adheres to his culture and disapproves of his daughter’s modern
behaviour and clothing while his mother-in-law, Daadi, tries to keep the peace
between father and daughter. Things go horribly wrong when the student group
attend a party and most of them get very drunk. The resulting rape and its
impact on the group causes everyone to take a long look at whether age-old
cultural beliefs work in a modern society when it comes to covering up
atrocities.
“The heroine, Damini, and this story, is our
tribute to our sisters who have lost the battle against violence and abuse … it
is our way of showing that the war still rages on,” says Munsamy.
The cast is made up of experienced and
non-experienced dancers but the overall impact is consistent and impressive. An
excellent dancer, Sashin Kandhai shines in the role of Manish with Prenasha Govindasamy
matching him as the beautiful Damini. Renaldo Mudaly impressed with his
arrogance and physical strength as the rapist, particularly when he defends his
actions. As the father, Rowin Munsamy brought much pathos at the end and a
completely unrecognisable Shona Johnson, playing a woman three times her age,
was the feisty grandmother.
Another notable performance comes from Kamini
Govender as the depressed friend although I question the logic of Damini taking
someone in such a fragile mental state to a hectic party.
The remainder of the cast are also to be
congratulated in having pulled off a “mini-extravaganza” in the Square Space: Slindiwe
Hlengwa; Sivani Chinappan; Irinka Nelson; Camilla Wolfson; Calavani Govender; Arno
Wagenaar; Christiaan du Plessis; Shirvedh Pillay and Xia Narain. I would also
like to commend the accuracy of the Indian (as in India) accents which are not
easy to pull off as we don’t hear them very often in South Africa.
Presented by ScruffySessions Productions in
collaboration with Xtraordinaire Dance Company (X.D.C), Consenting Silence: Shanti Manjur runs at the Square Space Theatre
at the Drama department of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College
Campus until June 1 at 19h00 (Saturday and Sunday shows at 15h00). Tickets R60
and R40. For bookings call 083 763 6292 (during working hours) or email scruffyaugust@yahoo.com – Caroline Smart
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