Ravindran Drama Group’s annual Tamil 10-minute play festival Pathey Nimidam was founded in 2013 by festival director and theatre practitioner, Hemang Yadav. Involving the participation of numerous Tamil and non-Tamil theatre directors, playwrights and actors, the festival showcases the creation of diverse works wrought from mutual respect and cultural exchange.
For the first time, the 7th edition of Pathey Nimidam will be presented at Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts from November 20-29, 2020. This edition’s nine narratives deal with different subject matter, but all highlight issues close to our hearts with directors of all the 9 plays collaborating with filmmaker K. Rajagopal to film the plays for a digital premiere.
Here are the plays on offer:
2+2
If you truly believe in something, would you vouch for it even when questioned? If someone asks you to affirm something you’ve known your entire life, will you do it?
Written by: Gopal Datt
Adapted into Tamil by: Karthikeyan Somasundaram & Uma Jayaraman
Directed by: Shalaka Ranadive
Assistant Director: Niyati Pingali
Cast: Karthikeyan Somasundaram, Bipin Balakrishnan & Niyati Pingali
Alone
A mom-to-be finds herself in a ‘spot’ an entire night. Will she emerge triumphant?
Written, translated and directed by: Uma Jayaraman
Cast: Yuvina Ram & Kalpana Jai Kumar
Blessings
A man who has just been stood up by the girl he wants to propose to discovers that some disappointments may be blessings in disguise.
Written and directed by: Gillian Tan
Translated by: Prasakthi d/o Allagoo
Language Assistance: Aruna Govind
Cast: David Puvan, Ahamed Ali Khan & Aruna Govind
Change Shift
Sonia needs to pick up her passport fast as her wedding in Tamil Nadu is tomorrow but Mr Goh needs to reach Tampines now for shift change. Will they both make it in time and what will they learn along the way?
Written by: Jane Cafarella
Translated by: Hasisha Nazir
Language assistance: Hasisha Nazir & Ammu Punnoose
Director: Susie Penrice Tyrie
Cast: Drake Lim, Hasisha Nazir & Ammu Punnoose
LIVE
The play asks “What are some questions about life and death you would like answered before the angel of death invites you to the afterlife?”
Written and directed by: Adi Jamaludin
Translated by: Shanta Devi Sivanathan and Prasakthi d/o Allagoo
Language assistance: Hasisha Nazir
Cast: Hasisha Nazir & Aiswarya Nair
Locker Room God
A queer police officer seeks answers from God after their identity has been discovered at work.
Written by: Aswani Aswath
Directed by: Grace Kalaiselvi
Cast: Jaisilan Sathiasilan, Aditya Mazumdar & Shanjeevi
Voice-over by: Grace Kalaiselvi
Sama Sama
Sama Sama questions if the grass is really greener on the other side.
Written and directed by: Xavier Kang
Translated by: Aswani Aswath
Language assistance: Aswani Aswath
Cast: Pramila & Catherine Ho
THE REUNION
THE REUNION finds two old friends reunited after many years. One spews callous comments while the other patiently waits for just the right moment for reprisal.
Written and directed by: Dew M. Chaiyanara
Translated by: Aswani Aswath
Language Assistance: Sajini
Cast: Sajini, Pramila, Sasikumar & Dew M. Chaiyanara
Watching the World Go By
Watching the World Go By shares the struggles in a transnational woman's life.
Written, directed and performed by: Grace Kalaiselvi