 Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 18: Natrang presented a creatively designed presentation of Saadat Hassan Manto's 'Kamra No.9' directed by Neeraj Kant in its weekly theatre series 'Sunday Theatre'. Human psychology was central to the plot of the play, as is Manto's signature style. The story begins with Shirin and her brother talking about the various men who visit their building to meet Shirin. This, in turn, sets off a chain of events that leave Shirin as well as the audience in the quest to figure out who the new resident of room no. 9 is. Nasir, who happens to be Shirin's lover, visits her often.
The play revolves around these two characters that are poles apart in their behaviour and thinking. While Shirin is talkative and carefree, Nasir is thoughtful and composed, with an aura of complexity. What follows is their witty conversation, disclosures and inadvertent surprises. Shirin eventually rejects Nasir's proposal, saying that he is a bit too sophisticated for her. Meanwhile, she is more interested in the resident of room no. 9, whom no one has seen except the Bhangan who cleans his house. Bhangan tells Shirin that the resident of room no. 9 is depressed, as she often hears him crying when she visits his room for cleaning. The script is filled with subtle nuances. The dialogue is sharp and effortless, with some lyrical trapping and yet moving and humorous, with a tinge of sadness. |
