(Pranesh Maharaj plays the role of Balram)
Starring
Pranesh Maharaj, Bhagwan gave me this
life written and directed by Vivian Moodley returns to Catalina Theatre at
the end of the month for a short season.
The
human condition encompasses the unique features of being human. It can be
described as the unalterable part of humanity that is inherent and innate to
human beings and not dependent on factors such as gender, race or class. It
includes concerns such as the meaning of life, the search for gratification,
the sense of curiosity, the inevitability of isolation, or awareness regarding
the inescapability of death.
Set in
1981 in Inanda and mainly in Hindi, the story is about Balram, a widower, who
we meet at a major turning point in his existence as he looks back on his life
with its high and low points. Balram’s wife Lalita was introduced to him via a
family arrangement by two eccentric aunties from Ottawa and Inanda. The
proudest of his family was his brother, Sukhram, who involved himself in the
wedding. The brothers shared a very tight bond that lasted until the bitter
end.
“The
plot of the one-man play centres on the couple’s inability to have a child at
first,” explains Moodley. “Balram’s parents longed for a grandchild until years
later a son is born. The traditional values of an old community, the wood and
iron house, the nostalgia of the music we listened to and spiritual guidance
instilled in us over the years come to the fore in this dramatization of our
inner wars.”
Vivian
Moodley has an illustrious resume in the performance arts in every known medium.
“This is South Africa’s first Hindi cultural production,” he says. “Yet it is
designed to be accessible to all. The story is specific to the time and area;
and if you are from that generation then it will bring back memories, make you
laugh and drop a tear. If not, then it will give you a sense of history and
entertain you.”
Bhagwan gave me this life runs for five shows at Catalina
Theatre at Wilson’s Wharf with performances on January 31, February 1 and 2 at
19h00 and matinees on February 1 and 2 at 14h00. Booking is at Computicket.
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