KANYADAAN
Written by Vijay Tendulkar
Directed by Sindu Singh
April 13 - 28, 2018
Sunnyvale Theater, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale
Kanyadaan, which roughly translates to "Giving the daughter away", is Vijay Tendulkar’s explosive take on class conflict and idealism, for which he received both high honors and brickbats, including having footwear thrown at him. In his characteristic manner, the controversial playwright said this of the fierily mixed response to the play – "As its creator, I respect both verdicts."
Set in the pre-Emergency era, Kanyadaan explores the world of Nath Devlalikar, a highly principled Gandhian politician who aspires to a casteless, just and equitable society. Much to Nath's delight, his daughter Jyoti decides to marry Arun Athavale, a Dalit writer, therefore embarking on what Nath sees as a bold 'social experiment' towards the greater good. As events unfold, things take an unexpected turn. The shocking ending serves as a searing commentary on the clash between lofty ideals of equality and the nuances and complexities of harsh reality.
English | 2 hours | Ages 13+
Photos
Basab Pradhan
as Nath
Basab Pradhan is a stage actor, director and playwright. His notable work as an actor includes Chairman Rao in Not Equal To, Moolchand in Rahul Varma's Counter Offence, Salman in Wajahat Ali's The Domestic Crusaders, Jairaj in Mahesh Dattani's Dance Like a Man and the molestor 'Uncle' in Dattani's 30 Days in September.
Basab is Founder & Co-Artistic Director of Bay Area Drama Company.
Sindu Singh
as Seva
Sindu recently directed Rahul Varma's Counter Offence, Girish Karnad's Wedding Album and Mahesh Dattani's Dance Like a Man. She has essayed multiple roles with various Bay Area theatre companies. Favorites include Malini in Anupama Chandrasekhar’s Free Outgoing, Naina in Basab Pradhan's adaptation of Ibsen's A Doll's House, Damyanti in Mahesh Elkunchwar's Party, Bagheera in Harish Agastya's Mowgli and I, Sarita in Vijay Tendulkar's Kamla, and Hamida Begum in Asghar Wajahat's Jis Lahore Nahin Vekhya O Jammyai Nahin. She founded 'Rangmanch', a South Asian theatre group for the Stanford University community, and for its maiden outing, directed and produced Yoni ki Baat, the South Asian version of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues.
Sindu Singh is Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Bay Area Drama Company.
Kaveri Seth
as Jyoti
Kaveri Seth recently graduated with an MFA from St. Mary's College. She is an actor, dancer and choreographer trained in Bharatanatyam, and explores a fusion of contemporary dance movement and classical Indian dance. This is her third outing with Bay Area Drama Company having previously acted in the 2015 production of Dance Like a Man and designing lights for Counter Offence in 2017. Some of her other recent projects include choreography for San Francisco Renaissance Voices’ production of Ordo Virtutum, lighting design for XO by Paufve | dance and Marin Academy’s spring dance concert. More at www.kaveriseth.com
Parag Kilche
as Arun
Parag Kilche started his acting journey as a child, participating in multiple amateur theatre productions in Pune and Mumbai. He moved to the Bay Area in 2012.
This is Parag's second play with Bay Area Drama Company, having essayed the role of Kevin in Basab Pradhan's adaptation of A Doll's House in Summer 2016.
His other credits in the Bay Area include Mad Man in Mad Man on the Fifth Floor, Pahila in Baap Beep Baap, Vashya in Holi, Painter in Naatak Basate Aahe, Raj in Airport Insecurity and Raghunath in an upcoming short film 8 Chairs.
Kartic Bhargav
as Jayaprakash
Kartic's prior credits include Prince Maaravarman in Kaanchiyin Thuyaram, a Tamil adaptation of Oscar Wilde's A Florentine Tragedy and Michal in Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman.
Kartic is excited to be a part of a BAD company production and looks forward to a great learning experience working with the talented cast of Kanyadaan.
Sejal Desai
Understudy for Seva and Jyoti
Sejal is a Physical Therapist by profession. Born and raised in Mumbai she moved to the US in her teens. After short stints in various cities, she relocated to the Bay Area. It was here that her fascination with South Asian theater was kindled and she got involved. First, as a patron, never missing a play, and then as part of the Stage Crew and as Props Designer for BAD Company's 2017 play, Not Equal To. Sejal relishes all aspects of theatre, from conception to character refinement to presentation and also the myriad threads that need to be sewn together for a quality, elegant production.
CREW
| Production Design | Sindu Singh |
|---|---|
| Production Managers | Pulkit Desai, Sejal Desai |
| Stage Crew | Kush Patel, Purva Chawan |
| Costumes | Arati Nagaraj (lead), Sharanya Ramesh, Kirti Kwatra |
| Makeup | Nitya Kansal |
| Sound | Ruchira Jain |
| Lights | Hailey Shapiro |
| Carpentry | Chris Williamson |
| Photography | Swagato Basumallick |
| Ticketing | Sathish Shenoy, Nayana Shenoy |