Ranjita Chakravarty on playing Nazia Sahiba
Embark on a journey with me into the captivating world of Mahesh Dattani's Where Did I Leave My Purdah? I step into the shoes of Nazia Sahiba, an enigmatic figure whose life unfolds against the backdrop of tumultuous historical shifts and personal struggles.
Nazia, an aging thespian hailing from Lahore kindled her passion for theater and Suhel, amidst the throes of partition. Along with a few “others” she had started The Modern Indian Theater in Lahore in 1946 a beacon of artistic expression in a time of political upheaval. Despite the political upheaval forcing her relocation to India, Nazia remained steadfast in her dedication to the stage. Their theater company was steeped in the tradition of dance dramas and their repertoire captivated audiences from Lahore to Bombay and Delhi. They loved Nazia’s histrionics in productions of dance dramas like Shakuntala, Jasma Odan, and Bahadur Ladki. However, as sustaining a theater company grew increasingly challenging, Nazia found herself relegated to insignificant grandma roles in cinema.
Frustrated by the lack of meaningful opportunities, she boldly envisioned a revival of her cherished company as post-modern Indian theater. “Audiences have the attention span of a sparrow these days,” Nazia declared, advocating for snappier productions infused with a modern sensibility and feminist fervor – from Shakuntala to Shaku.
Yet, her path to revival is fraught with obstacles. Nazia's efforts to secure sponsors falter due to her own arrogance and stubbornness. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past and navigates complex relationships, her niece Ruby emerges as both ally and adversary, demanding truth from Nazia and unearthing long-buried secrets in exchange for securing sponsorships for her revival play.
Mahesh Dattani skillfully intertwines a tale within a tale, weaving Kalidasa's timeless epic, Abhigyan Shakuntalam, into the narrative. Suhel and Nazia portray Dushyant and Shakuntala, reflecting their off-stage romance, fraught with love, loss, betrayal, and eventually redemption. Through this ancient myth, we witness the echoes of Nazia's tumultuous journey as she confronts her inner demons and long-buried truths, revealing why she chooses to shroud certain aspects of her life in secrecy. Why she chooses to drape a “purdah” (curtain/veil) on the past.
I love playing the role of Nazia which is a multifaceted delight, ranging from a flamboyant, over-the-top, aging diva to a sarcastic, mischievous, hardened businesswoman. Nazia's character embodies ambition, cunning, and obsession, juxtaposed with moments of mentorship, vulnerability and modernity as she endeavors to contemporize classical tales. When Nazia talks about theater, she is animated, passionate, and at her happiest and forgets the troubles she has faced and the trauma of her past.
Join us for a theatrical experience that promises to stir your emotions and spark meaningful conversation. Where did I leave my Purdah? by Mahesh Dattani, directed by Rita Bhatia, opens on June 1 with shows on June 2,6,7,8 at Sunnyvale Theatre.