Dancers perform in the Bolero ballet, composed by Maurice Ravel at the 48th International Festival of Carthage at the Roman theatre in Carthage. AFP PHOTO/ FETHI BELAID
This month, Zest will present a one-act production of Saadat Hasan Manto’s popular literary work — Toba Tek Singh. Set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan partition, the play has been produced by young theatre professionals from Nagpur.
“I think it’s great that a stage as reputable as NCPA is giving young talent a chance to showcase their work. Our play has already won a couple of awards, but it is only now, after our performance in Mumbai has been confirmed, that it’s gaining immense popularity,” says Rupesh Pawar, the director of the play. Ask him how the group has adapted Manto’s literary masterpiece into a one-act play, and he replies. “We have kept things simple. We don’t have elaborate sets or costumes. The key is to focus on the message and deliver it symbolically.”