Media Release – 15th August 2013.
For immediate Release
Would You Cry For a Living?
Prayas Theatre Group in association with THE EDGE® present
RUDALI THE MOURNER
Directed by Amit Ohdedar with Ahi Karunaharan
After its successful premiere season in 2012, Prayas Theatre Group in association with THE EDGE® bring back a re-devised Rudali The Mourner for the mainstream Auckland audience from October 17th.
In Tohri, as in many places, women of a lower caste are hired as mourners upon the death of rich upper-caste males. A
Rudali (rou-daali) is paid to grieve aloud publicly so the family members of the dead retain their upper caste dignity
befitting their social status.
Sanichari is mother-in-law to a beautiful and feisty woman who certainly does not accept her place or fate and sets out
to defy the village rules. Around them in the village are a host of lively characters, from caring and conniving
neighbours, a long lost friend, the comic village priest, ruthless landlords, some brazen prostitutes and a wickedly
endearing old nag.
Together, they weave a story of friendship, treachery, greed, lust and duplicity around the unusual business of
‘‘Rudali” a professional female mourner.
Rudali the Mourner deals with some of India’s most potent social issues; caste and the role and place of women. The themes however could easily be any rural community in India, or even any place else– where powerful men exploit
women – the wife, the neighbour and the local prostitute.
The character of Sanichari has had a life of bad fortune, but throughout it has never cried; it is ironic then, as the
play’s plot takes her to the need to make money by mourning and providing mourners to weep at a rich funeral. As she
finds these mourners among the local prostitutes, Sanichari ultimately becomes an icon of empowerment for tribal
low-caste women.
Multi-cultural group Prayas has gone outside Auckland’s growing Indian community to come up with a multi-ethnic cast and
crew. Indeed, the lead role that of a woman known as Sanichari, goes to a Cook Island actor.
"It is a brave play, and it is challenging for Prayas” says Amit Ohdedar, President of Prayas Theatre Group. “As it
deals with some of the harsher issues that India faces. All the players have a passion for all things India, but it
takes courage to open up with the community we now call home."
Rudali the Mourner explores a serious issue in an entertaining and engaging format and features a rich array of Indian folk music with a
live orchestra, colorful dances and a vibrant village carnival.
Rudali is also being staged during this year’s Auckland Diwali festival on 19 and 20 October
RUDALI THE MOURNER plays:
October 17th – 26th 2013, 8pm (except Sunday 20th at 3pm)
Herald Theatre, THE EDGE®, Mayoral Drive, Auckland
Tickets: $ 25 and $ 20 for concessions
Rating: 13yrs +
Bookings: www.buytickets.co.nz or 0800 BUY TICKETS
Duration: I hr. 15min – no interval, contains offensive language
ENDS