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Here we share experiences, discoveries, research and tidbits of our journey in staging a sensitive play "Surya ki antim kiran se surya ki pehli kiran tak" by Surendra Verma. This is Naatak's 30th production

Naatak is a San Francisco Bay Area-based theater group dedicated to producing creative and thought-provoking plays. Since its founding in 1995 by students at UC Berkeley and Stanford, Naatak has staged 29 productions in English, Hindi and Tamil. For more information, visit www.naatak.com

Monday, May 18, 2009

Surya Ki.. the production perspective..

From Surya ki antim kiran se, Surya ki pehli kiran tak, we are not undergoing the emosanal attyachaar that Okkak is going through. Rather, from Surya ki pehli kiran se, Surya ki antim kiran tak, we are thinking production. We are thinking how the sets can withstand and endure the forces acting against it. We are thinking if constructing something is worth the effort.

We eagerly look forward to the production day - arriving excited and at the end of the day we leave contented. It's tough to explain why, you have to experience it.

Our day starts with a nice drive to our base (Pradeepji's house) in So.SF. We assemble in the briefing center (living room) to be apprised by our Commander (Pradeepji) of status updates and new developments from Captain (Vinita). We make a task list for the day, gather tools from garage and head to the field (backyard) to commence our operation.

After a few trials and having a prototype ready, we break for lunch, ..um..I mean midday feast - courtesy of Mrs. Commander (Kumkumji), while discussing a varied mix of topics - sports, politics, movies, people, past plays, storage (ssshh), etc..

Based on the prototype, we are now mechanised robots manufacturing the full set piece. To ensure that prandial comatose doesn't strike us, our Chaiwala (Pradeepji) provides excellent elaichi chai with snacks. If its too hot, our Bartender (Pradeepji) offers Margarita (and Virgin Margarita tsk-tsk).

By the EOD, the pieces are ready for assembly and testing - all the labour that went into making this masterpiece - finally being tested. And voila! We are elated!

Our day ends with a tired, exhausted but nice drive back home.

This is one of the well planned, less demanding and more professional production I've worked on. It's a brain-teaser recollecting and refreshing topics that we've learnt in the past - from "angle-bisectors" to "areas/volumes" to "torsion/shear". It is always a learning experience ;)

PS: Interesting? Curious? Join our backstage tour on the days of the show.


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