Kamani Auditorium was where our school annual day used to be held initially. It used to be a huge space. Seeing it after years (and no I am not counting!!), the feeling was different. It is still cosy and nice. The audi which had seemed huge to a 5 year old didn’t seem that huge. A 632 seater auditorium with good acoustic, is reminiscent of what Delhi once was!
Our Rendevous – It was my dear Neetu’s (Neetu Nanda Sehgal) idea and was she persistent?!!! She did book wonderful seats though😊😊Asha Aunty (dear Kochie’s mother – I shall not write Kochie’s full name for wrath hath no fury as Kochie by his real name!:)) happily agreed to join. I reached early, not far for a Delhi person. Thanks to Google going a bit haywire Aunty and Neets meandered enroute (Chote Lal’s navigation skills not withstanding) and reached just in time.
Coming to Ek Mulaqat - They say a dying person usually gives a vision to his or her most beloved person, before leaving this world! Several have claimed to have seen such a vision. And poet Sahir Ludhianvi does that to his beloved Amrita Pritam, on the fateful night of 28th October 1980. It is this meeting between the two which forms the basis for the most delightful poetic interlude or call it conversation between the two brilliant poets. The exchange brings out literally all emotions or rasas. There is mild flirting, leg pulling, sarcasm, a look at Amrita’s unconventional life, religion.. The repartees are equal, there is no one sided advantage.
Shekhar Suman playing Sahir Ludhianvi and Geetika Tyagi playing Amrita Pritam, directed by Saif Hyder Hasan. The earlier version had Deepti Naval playing Amrita Pritam. Though these are just facts, after the intial spell, one just got lost in the narrative. The poetic nuances and the voice that rendered it held attention, the actors were relegated to the background. It is amazing, how just two persons held the 500 odd viewers to rapt attention. The poems brought back snips from Bandhey, Guru Dutt Pyasa, Kabhi Kabhi, there are a couple of lines narrated by Amitabh Bachhan which played in the background. It is however the wonderful poetry which holds you, narrated with precision. The meeting seemingly puts an end to the unfinished love story, with a sense of deep understanding going beyond the stated. Imroz is heard as a voice only never seen as the person. The spell is broken with the announcemnent that Sahir has passed away in Mumbai! Leaving the spell bound audience to figure it out what this was all about…each to his own.
Where – Copernicus Marg. Kamani Auditorium is situated next to Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra. Look it up for information on more plays and screenings. The duo have promised more such interludes.
Timing – Check out the programme and the timing you want to go.
Highlight - The auditorium is located in what can be called the old charming part of Delhi where the literati gather and where culture of Delhi happens!. There are other spaces around which are interesting – The little theatre group, Sriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. There are plenty of Sadans and Bhavans on the opposite side and will have interesting canteen to grab a bite. The Auditorium also has the Kamani Café, which we didn’t try, may be for another time.
Insider Tip – There are plenty of plays going on and eager directors pass out leaflets and promos for their screenings outside the gate. Our fun moment – I learnt the route from Copernicus Marg to Gurgaon, thanks to guiding Chote Lal (Aunty n Kochie’s driver), though not sure where Chote Lal will be able to find his way back!!!
