Chennai-based theatre group stages Vaikom Basheer’s stories in Shivamogga

The Chennai theatre company Perch presented a play titled "Under the Mangosteen Tree," inspired by the short stories of renowned Malayalam author Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, in Shivamogga on Wednesday. The two-hour performance captivated the audience with its engaging script, narration, acting, and staging of Basheer's tales. Basheer, famous for his literary contributions and his involvement in the struggle for independence, faced imprisonment and torture multiple times.

His works are cherished by Kannada readers too. Director Rajiv Krishnan devised the play so that Basheer would serve as the narrator himself. The story begins with two characters engaging the audience in friendly conversation, after which the main narrator moves into a newly rented house, which is rumored to be haunted due to a recent tragedy.

The girl who took her life is referred to as "Bhargavi Kutty" throughout the play, serving as a character that interacts with the narrator. Despite the non-linear narrative structure, the audience remained engrossed in the stories, which include "Poovan Banana," "The Blue Light," "Walls," "Voices," and "The World Renowned Nose."

The performance featured a diverse cast, with Paul Mathew, Aparna Gopinath, Darshana Rajendran, Karuna Amaranath, Krish Dayal, Vinod Susheela, Ashif A., and Dharanidharan U. The director mentioned that the production marked the group's farewell tour, as senior actor Paul Mathew was turning 75. They had already performed the play 100 times in various locations, with the current rendition featuring Aparna Gopinath portraying both the young and mature Basheer. The troupe will next present the play in Heggodu on Friday and Mysuru on Sunday.