Malvika's Ramblings

Play practice @ 6:00 am

Brrrr cold.

 

SGPGI, JNU, Delhi University folk wake up early and head to dewy lawns or amphitheaters to be hit by the first warming rays of the morning sun. Bougainvillea weighs down heavy, blotting the sun with pink and mustard.

 

And in unflattering but warm sweatshirts, floaters with socked toes or sturdy sports shoes, they practise their plays. Shakuni, Sootradhar, Hamlet, Desdemona, Puck, Pappu ke Papa onstage. Mom, in a scarf, salwar-kameez and a tweed coat directs PGI actors in Lucknow, as I roll in my warm bed, and somebody flings a newspaper at my window; and Leo at La Martiniere Constantia continues to roar alright, well after the dark night. And Pip returns from his guilty trip to the convict, a file short, and charged of sin by staring oxen, back home to tread once more on the creaking tattling staircase. What must he say but Haaye Raaaam.

Photo of La Martiniere College (School actually); photographer unknown.