When Parsi actors get together to stage a comedy, you can be sure of a laugh riot. Harish Chandra Bijo, staged at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival on day one on Saturday, sent audiences back home with large grins on their faces. The comedy of errors about amateur Parsi actors trying to put together a play without the knowledge of their landlady, who is not fond of theatre, had audiences laughing out loud and clapping along with the music of the play.
By Riddhi Doshi, Hindustan Times
“It was hilarious, very entertaining. I had a really good time,” said Zareen Mehta, 70, a homemaker from Tardeo.
For Telugu-speaking Chaitanya Abhishek, 21, a finance expert from Santacruz, the stellar performances were the best part of the play. “The actors’ voice modulation and expressions kept me hooked for the entire hour, despite the fact that I don’t really understand Gujarati,” he said. “I came to attend the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and thought wanted to watch a play to see and experience something new. I loved it — and I did understand the story.”
Shipping executive Aspy Khan, 58, a regular to the Kala Ghoda festival, visited on day one especially to check out the first Parsi play of the event.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see that the festival had included a Parsi play in their schedule this year,” said Khan. “I had to see it.”
The cast and crew, meanwhile, were overwhelmed by the response, with people vying even for standing space. “It’s a huge honour to be performing at such a prestigious festival,” said Dinyar Tirandaz, director of the play. Added actor Farengiz: “We have earlier performed for audiences that mainly comprised Parsis, but here people from all communities came to watch, making it a unique and special experience even for us.”