Basheer Plays - The Prithvi Experience - 17 Dec 2009

We performed "Sangathi Arinhya" yesterday. 6 pm and 9 pm. We had only a 35 minute break between the 2 shows. So did not even take off the costumes or make up. Just had a tea and egg sandwich. Needed the protein.

Both shows got standing ovations. The crowd was rather thin, though. Just about 50 people each show. Understandable for a weekday. However as the capacity is only 200 the hall feels comfortably full.

Shashi Kapoor came again. As we were rearranging the sets for the second show I saw Shashi Kapoor sitting alone in the auditorium. He hadn't left. So I bowed to him, joining my palms in a Namaste. A simple, sincere, salute to a veteran actor from another generation. He smiled and namste-d back. Later he sent a person to us with a simple message. "Shashi Kapoor saab asked me to tell you that he liked the play". A return salute from the veteran actor from another generation.

Mathrubhumi, Asianet, and Malayala Manorama teams came to meet us before the show and shot some excerpts from the play as well as some interviews. Manorama News is telecasting it this evening on their programme - "Sakala Kala". I think it is at 8.30 pm. They came backstage after the play and said they liked it immensely. Said they would come again today.

That's 4 shows down. 8 more to go. Need to conserve energies. The midnight walk along the beach back to the apartment after the show is a great way to relax and unwind after the high. Hope to catch at least 6 hours of sleep every day. Also need to eat carefully. The body and mind have to be kept in prime condition.

An unexpected highlight yesterday was the arrival of Rajiv's (the Director) sister, Divya. She actually flew down all the way from Tokyo just to see the play. Returned to Tokyo last night after the show.

The tension and anxiety is less now. We know the plays work. We also have an idea about what we need to improve or change. From now on the experience becomes more fun. In the process it also becomes more powerful.

Its a marvellous feeling !