The perfect acting by Kulbhushan Kharbanda when blended with the fine direction by Vinay Sharma was all about the Hindi play Atmakatha.
Atmakatha explores multiple dimensions to deal with the relationship between the art and society and the responsibility of the artist towards society. It examines the commitment of the artist to burning social issues and his ability to analyse various conflicting interests from a distance to give an objective assessment of the social, political and economic forces at work.
The play opens in the house of acclaimed novelist, Rajadhyaksha (Kulbhushan). A young researcher Pradnya is working on the biography of the novelist. Through the device of researcher’s penetrating questions on his work and social life and his contemporaries, a fascinating world opens up. She also discusses the relationship between his fictional characters and the two women, his wife and sister-in-law.
The play is presented into two levels. One level deals with the present in which the researcher and the novelist interact in the room. The second level brings alive the past of the writer through flashbacks, a reflection of the writer’s memory. The action moves between these two time levels. The writer’s separated wife Uttara feels her husband has betrayed her, insulted her because of his extramarital relationship with her sister, 25 years younger than him. She considers this a sign of moral degeneration of a creative person. Her bitterness and sense of loneliness become all the more painful as she is childless. Vasanti, Uttara’s sister, who has come from the village to stay with her sister, is forced to leave the house after the scandal. Dev Dutt, a writer who gave her shelter, is no more. Her sister rates her as an average dancer. The writer is the cause of the misery of both the sisters.
Every phase of the story showcased on stage during the play was worthwhile watching. Moreover, the connection made between the two levels of the play was outstanding. The play was enjoyed by the audience who watched the show.