Taramandal, eventually

About a year ago I was in Mumbai, speaking to actors of different hide, each of them spilling forth about ambition, their careers so far, looking back, looking ahead ... Back in Delhi, I interviewed another set of actors - the cast of the play Taramandal. All this material, copious notes of it, stewed in our basement workshop. We were working on the faith that it would all come together quickly and unravel itself on date.

But it didn't then. There was our departure from First City Theatre Foundation, some of us shifting homes, some of us shuffling jobs, some getting married, some getting robbed. We built a variety show, we made a film, and worked slowly and very patiently on a play. This play.

And in this past year other people have spoken of the Tadpole Repertory (and of Taramandal) with excitement and anticipation, in equal parts. For me, and others in the group I'm sure, this has been both comforting and flattering. But what does it mean? Perhaps it has a lot to do with our previous work at First City but this is a new play, a different play. And it is our first stage production as Tadpole. Two weeks ago I was awarded the MetroPlus Playwright Award, and I am flushed with pride to have that, but what I want most now is really just to sit and watch this play. The whole play. In a small crowd.

Taramandal will have its first full showing at Akshara Theatre on April 30th 2010, and then run for three more shows on May 1 and 2.