Common man swims against the tide in ‘Ek Zunj Varyashi’

Nagpur: Critically acclaimed Marathi play ‘Ek Zunj Varyashi’ tries to convey a message that a common man should fearlessly seek answers from his leaders. The play written by legendary playwright PL Deshpande is an adaptation of Russian writer Vladlen Dozortsev’s ‘The Last Appointment’.
The play was staged at Sai Sabhagruh, Shankar Nagar, on the first day of 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav’s Parallel Theatre Festival organized by National School of Drama, Delhi. The seven-day festival will continue till February 15, simultaneously in other cities like Delhi, Dehradun, Puducherry, etc. Seven plays — two foreign and five Indian — will be staged in Nagpur.
Shriniwas Narwekar is director of ‘Ek Zunj Varyashi’. It’s the story of a man who seeks an appointment with a minister (a former doctor) and when he gets the chance to meet him, he bluntly asks him to resign from his post.
Baffled, the minister and his colleague try to kick him out taking him for a bibber. But the man is adamant and attempts to seek justice for some other man wronged by the minister. A slew of arguments ensues which characterizes the body of the classic play.
The play depicts the pursuit of a common man for justice, accountability and transparency from his leaders. The nameless common man, played by Narwekar himself, is raw, unapologetic and fearless. Narwekar embodies him brilliantly.
Minister Dr Deshmukh is played quite convincingly by Deepak Karanjikar. Shobhna Mayekar plays wife Chitra to the common man and Ashutosh Ghorpade plays the minister’s colleague.
The thought-provoking play is a comment on the political situation witnessed by the country over the last many years. As the play progresses, the audience is forced to think are we really choosing the right leaders for us? The two-and-a-half hour play manages to keep the audience glued to their seats till the end.