Barely a week after his demise, a city-based theatre group is paying tribute to the late MF Husain. Ideal Drama and Entertainment Academy (IDEA) will perform a play titled MaqboolHumTumParFida in the city tomorrow to pay homage to the legendary artist.
“We’ve done several plays on topical events. This one is important because Husain has been the topic of many debates and has been subjected to several accusations,” says Mujeeb Khan, the writer-director, who in the past has paid homage to Michael Jackson. Even though the group has hardly had time to prepare, since Husain passed away only on June 9, Khan is confident. “We focus on current affairs and issues, and have done many quick plays. After the 26/7 floods in Mumbai in 2005, we put up a play on it within 24 hours. After the 26/11 terrorist attacks too, we readied a play within 48 hours.”
In MaqboolHumTumParFida, the artist’s story will unfold as several characters question the actor playing Husain about important events in his life. “It will depict his childhood, where he lost his mother at an early age and his father remarried, their family moving to Indore, then to Mumbai, and all the struggles he faced along the way,” says Khan. “We’ve also highlighted his passion for theatre and cinema.”
The self-confessed pioneers of journalistic theatre make sure they research every aspect of the subject they enact, before forming their own viewpoints. Citing an instance, Khan adds, “We didn’t know Jessica Lall, but we knew we had to fight for justice for her, so we put together a play on the subject.” IDEA plans only one performance of the play, following which, they will perform it only on invitation. “This way, none of us feel like we’re putting in too much effort for only one performance. If any of Husain saab’s admirers want us to perform for them, we will oblige,” says Khan.
{{/usCountry}}The self-confessed pioneers of journalistic theatre make sure they research every aspect of the subject they enact, before forming their own viewpoints. Citing an instance, Khan adds, “We didn’t know Jessica Lall, but we knew we had to fight for justice for her, so we put together a play on the subject.” IDEA plans only one performance of the play, following which, they will perform it only on invitation. “This way, none of us feel like we’re putting in too much effort for only one performance. If any of Husain saab’s admirers want us to perform for them, we will oblige,” says Khan.
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