The notoriously austere writings of Franz Kafka (1883-1924) will now be translated into Gujarati. The atre company Ideas Unlimited, headed by Manoj Shah is behind the play.
Tentatively titled Metamorphosis, it will be staged early next year in the city. Theatre director Shah is known to the city audience for his landmark Gujarati productions – Master Phoolmani (1999) and Mareez (2003).
Talking about the play, Shah said, “Though we have as of now decided on calling the play Metamorphosis, we will not restrict ourselves to the novella first published in 1915. It was Kafka’s wish that The Metamorphosis, The Judgment (1912) and The Stoker be seen as one whole.” Kafka’s novel The Trial (1925) and short story In the Penal Colony (1914) will also feature in the play.
Letters exchanged between Kafka and his father will also be part of the play that explores the psyche of the troubled writer. Kafka’s works have been translated from German into several languages including English. For the upcoming production, Prof. Kanti Patel will translate Kafka’s writings from into Gujarati.