SHILLONG, Aug 10: A theatre performance showcased the extraordinary relationship shared between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore at IIM Shillong. The theatre actors Adithya Nair in the role of Gandhi, Dinesh Babu as Tagore and Rhea Raphael, whose narration flowed like wisps of clouds on that quiet evening, held the IIM students and faculty spellbound. What was remarkable was that the actors needed no backstage prompting but delivered their pieces as if they were the original personalities. It takes a lot of act out a role that fits like a glove which Adithya Nair and Dinesh Babu acted out.
The play, which took place on August 8, takes the audience through that period of India’s turbulent history—the Independence Movement.
In the exchange of letters between Gandhi and Tagore, the latter expressed his dissent on the idea of separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims because he believed it would lead to long-term communal disharmony. This opposition stemmed from Tagore’s strong belief in secularism and religious harmony as an antidote to the Calcutta riots of 1926. Tagore died on August 7, 1941, before the horrific Hindu-Muslim Naokhali riot of 1946.
The play helps the audience discern the characters of Gandhi and Tagore.
Each believed in their philosophies but were ready to engage with one another through letters that were at once respectful and empathetic of each other’s journeys. While Gandhi didn’t believe in Tagore’s fund raising for Vishwa Bharati University an institution he founded in 1926 to educate ordinary Indians so they can take on responsibilities after India became independent, he still helped raised funds for the same.
Similarly, Tagore was quick to rush and visit Gandhi at Yerawada jail in Pune in 1932, where he undertook a fast-unto-death following the British government’s decision to grant separate electorate to the Dalits within the Indian Constitution. Tagore found Gandhi frail and listless in jail and was in tears.
What stands out in this play brilliantly directed and designed by Prof Vijay Padaki, who has penned over 50 original plays and is the founder-trustee of ‘Bangalore Little Theatre’, is how poetry meets philosophy and transforms into practical wisdom through powerful letters, and at times, in person as the journey unfolds from Sabarmati to Santiniketan.
Prof Padaki has also been a management professional for over 45 years and the founding faculty of IIM Bangalore. He was present during the presentation of the play and addressed the audience. Also present was Kanchan Pandhare, the production manager.
On August 9, Prof Padaki led the IIM students on a workshop on ‘Maturity in leadership and behaviour- Exploring Maturity in Human Organisations’.
All the three actors in the play are also past students of management, currently working in different corporate organisations but with a passion for drama. That Prof Padaki is able to find just the right characters for his play is sheer genius and a meeting of minds.
