Prayas Presents Rudali-the Mourner

Prayas Presents Rudali-the Mourner

Performed in English this gritty new play by the Auckland Indian group Prayas deals with some of India’s most potent social issues; caste and the role and place of women in Indian society.

Rudali-the Mourner is set in the village of Tohri in Eastern India - although it could easily be any rural community in India, or even any place else– where powerful men exploit women – the wife, the neighbour and the local prostitute.

In Tohri, as in many places, women of a lower caste are hired as mourners upon the death of rich upper-caste males. A Rudali (rou-daali) is paid to grieve aloud publicly so the family of the dead retain their upper caste dignity befitting their social status.  

Sanichari is mother-in-law to a beautiful and feisty woman who certainly does not accept her place or fate and sets out to defy the village rules. Around them in the village are a host of lively characters, from caring and conniving neighbours, a long lost friend, the comic village priest, ruthless landlords, some brazen prostitutes and a wickedly endearing old nag.

Together, they weave a story of friendship, treachery, greed, lust and duplicity around the unusual business of ‘Rudali professional female mourners. Sanichari ultimately becomes an icon of empowerment for tribal low-caste women.

With Cook Islander Patricia Wichman in the lead, multi-cultural group Prayas have gone outside Auckland’s growing Indian community to come up with a multi-ethnic cast and crew.

"It is a brave play, and it is challenging for Prayas as it deals with some of the harsher issues that India faces”
-Amit Ohdedar, President Prayas

Rudali-the Mourner is based on the short story in Bengali by Mahasweta Devi. Of her faith in the downtrodden, she has said the following: "The reason and inspiration for my writing are those people who are exploited and used, and yet do not accept defeat."

Co-directed by Amit Ohdedar, Prayas Cultural Group and Margaret Mary Hollins, TAPAC the show explores serious issues in entertaining and engaging formats Rudali-the Mourner will showcase Indian folk music with a live orchestra, colourful dances and a vibrant village carnival.

Rudali-the Mourner, May 18 -27, 2012, TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland. Book tickets at TAPAC website www.tapac.org.nz or phone TAPAC (09) 845 0295. Not recommended for children. Contains adult themes and offensive language.

More information about Prayas available at www.prayas.co.nz

ENDS

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