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One of Darpana’s Best Theatre Productions
We drive past those urchins every day. We have read about those illiterate villagers running from pillar to post for justice. We are not unaware of those scavengers condemned to carry human excreta on their heads. We remain unconcerned. It takes Darpana’s Unsuni (Unheard Voices) to turn us compassionate for them. Unsuni moved and provoked without compromising aesthetics. In the string of episodes, which come alive with the acting, theatre and conviction that have gone into making them, the intermittent choreographed group scenes on lyrics rendered after popular tunes, have the viewers so reflect - almost in the Brechtian manner - upon the condition of those marginalized that delectable though the scenes are they do not clap. They choose to hear the smothered voices. Unsuni, one of Darpana’s best theatre productions, gives a glimpse of the invisible India we need to see.
S D Desai, Former Drama Critic, The Times of India
Brilliant Performances
The sets comprising of a street lamp, sheets of swaying plastic of hutments, run down walls torn cloth, gunny bags etc, form the backdrop of that part of India, which the upper urban chose to ignore through the tinted glasses of their shades. In that sense, 'Unsuni' becomes the voice of the unheard and also makes visible that which we choose not to see. The brilliant performances of the actors who are also trained dancers, brings to us a range of emotions from high drama to satirical depiction of Hindi bollywood songs reminiscent of the Brechtian alienation technique. The struggle of the marginalised is depicted with a positive energy that makes us carry their spirit to fight and the capacity to succeed. In the end, 'Unsuni' resonates deep within to awaken our individual conscience.
Anjou Musafir, Director, Mahatma Gandhi International School
Most Touching
The Play was very well executed and the most touching thing was that the actors not merely enacting stories that were untold and unheard of, but re-lived them for us! These were powerful performances that are capable of making many young people think beyond what they see and where the experienced should take proactive steps to design executable plans in bringing about a difference. I thoroughly loved the detail that was seen in the costumes, they were simple without making it fake....
Anar Shukla, Educational Initiatives Ltd
The Show was Superb
It avoided presenting a black-and-white picture and tried to show the complexities of the system with people trying to help, yet the situation not getting much better. And I think it managed to convey the message that this is a not a fate good efforts are condemned, to succeed is possible if efforts are concerted, sensitive and persistent enough.
Sridhar Rajagopalan, CEO, Educational Initiatives Ltd
Thank You
Thank you for inviting us to 'Unsuni'. I and my entire family came to see the play. This event helped me explain to my children what I do and why. Congratulations.
Reema Nanavaty, Director, SEWA