HYDERABAD: The evening is pitch dark at Lamakaan as audience eagerly wait for the play to begin. The darkness is accompanied by old Hindi songs from the 40’s and 50’s. It’s only when everyone is at the end of their patience that someone starts speaking; not on stage, but from the balcony of the building. This is how Dooth, a play by Sifar theatre group, begins. The play narrates the story of a postman. Though never officially appointed, the retired dakya (postman) delivers letters in his village. His dedication to his job isn’t just out of habit; he believes in sending and delivering letters in exactly the same way as someone would like to receive one. Written keeping in mind a rural background, Dooth dwells on common men with all their flaws and on the fact that old habits die hard. The real hero of the play however is Junaid, the director, who hails from Nalgonda district. Working with a visual effects company in the city, his real passion lies in play writing, direction and lights. He says, “Since ages, all emotions have been the same but put in different circumstances. That’s what I want to explore through theatre.”The company Sifar is a mixed group of working and retired professionals, an essence that reflects in their work. Headed by Feroze and Bhaskar Shewalkar, Sifar also includes actors Snehal Hattikaudur and Krushna Kumbhar and playwright Sumeet, besides music composers Amit Dasani and Sumit Chiruthapudi. Says Feroze, “We got together and did many plays at Chanchalguda juvenile home for boys and got a hearty appreciation from them. We decided to call ourselves Sifar, which means zero in Urdu and Persian.”Bhaskar, a retired head of department for Theatre Arts at University of Hyderabad, says, “Theatre is a low-cost medium of expression. It is not a broadcast programme but live actors related to human lives and emotions.” “We are in the scene for pure entertainment,” says Sumeet, co-writer of the play, adding, “People are so stressed out in their lives, we give it our best to make them light-hearted and happy by the time they leave.” However, when asked if theatre should address social issues, Bhaskar refutes, “It is our task to present the social situation in front of you and for you to understand the vices in the society.”Sumeet, however, says, “If given the chance, I would personally like to make the youth aware of corruption and dirty politics through theatre, but it should not be a forced effort.” While they may differ on their content and context, one thing definitely stands common for this troupe - their love for theatre. Krushna, a scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation by profession, says, “Theatre makes me feel alive. I feel this is life and the real life is mundane.” Snehal who works at Infosys and is also a part of Manch theatre group, says, “Theatre gives me a chance of being what I would want to be with no constraints.” So, does it pay-off financially? “No,” is the collective reply as they have incurred losses. But Sifar has had a good run with over eight plays and 28 screenings in its bag.
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