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 Prayas Theatre

PRAYAS THEATRE

  

Nationality:    New Zealander
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a

Prayas Theatre presents devised Indian theatre in a modern environment to New Zealand audiences in the hope of adding a richness and depth to the local scene and inviting an exchange of ideas from their culture to broaden understanding

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below is a list of Prayas Theatre's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

        Rudali The Mourner



Rudali The Mourner

Synopsis:
Performed in English, this gritty new play by the Auckland Indian group Prayas deals with some of India's most potent social issues; caste and the role and place of women in Indian society. Rudali-the Mourner is set in the village of Tohri in Eastern India - although it could easily be any rural community in India, or even any place else - where powerful men exploit women: the wife, the neighbour and the local prostitute. In Tohri, as in many places, women of a lower caste are hired as mourners upon the death of rich upper-caste males. A Rudali (rou-daali) is paid to grieve aloud publicly so the family of the dead retain their upper caste dignity befitting their social status. Sanichari is mother-in-law to a beautiful and feisty woman who certainly does not accept her place or fate and sets out to defy the village rules. Around them in the village are a host of lively characters, from caring and conniving neighbours, a long lost friend, the comic village priest, ruthless landlords, some brazen prostitutes and a wickedly endearing old nag. Together, they weave a story of friendship, treachery, greed, lust and duplicity around the unusual business of 'Rudali professional female mourners. Sanichari ultimately becomes an icon of empowerment for tribal low-caste women. With Cook Islander Patricia Wichman in the lead, multi-cultural group Prayas have gone outside Auckland's growing Indian community to come up with a multi-ethnic cast and crew. - http://www.theatreview.org.nz/reviews/production.php?id=2623

Notes:
based on the short story by Mahasweta Devi

1st Produced:
Tapac Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland     18 May 2012

Organisations:
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1st Published:
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Music:
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
piece 75 min

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  3            Other:  ensemble

Further Reference:
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