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UMRAO - A RASIK ARTS PRESENTATION

Rasik Arts presented Umrao by Ms. Geetanjali Shree in an English translation based on the classic Urdu novel of hope, rejection and survival, Umrao Jan Ada, from September 5 - 16 at Artword Theatre, Toronto. Rasik Arts is an organization 

of artists devoted to presenting the emerging contemporary theatre of South Asia.

Sally Jones has directed this Rasik Arts production of Umrao.  It featured eight actors including Ellora Patnaik as Umrao, three musicians and dancer Bageshree Vaze.  Bradley A. Trenaman is lighting designer and technical director.

The Cast

Patnaik's surrounding cast is very accomplished. Ishwar Mooljee, a prominent actor and director plays Ruswa, the novelist of Umrao Jan Ada, with Black Theatre Canada. Rupinder Nagra is the gorgeous rascal Faiz. Comedian/social activist Doris Rajan plays the modern Writer and the beautiful Bageshree Vaze is the leading dancer. 

Also in the cast is Sa'ad Shah who plays Nawab. A native of Peshawar, Pakistan, Shah studied acting in Germany and at Boston University and Columbia University. Bengali/Canadian actress Layanti Banerjee plays Khanum the "house" mother in her first English-speaking role since her Mission School days while fellow Bengali/Canadian Oporajito "Opu" Bhattacharjee plays the mischievous Gohar.  

The Novel

In the 1890 novel, Umrao Jan relates her story to Ruswa.  Umrao is a self-sufficient woman and former courtesan of Lucknow.  She discusses life as a celebrated poet, singer and dancer in the 1850's.  Umrao's life was eventful.  As  a young girl, thieves abducted her from her family and sold her into prostitution.  She developed into a courtesan where she had many rich and powerful suitors, but where she also became a sought after poetess, singer and dancer. She then survived the 1857 rebellion against the British and subsequent takeover of Lucknow.

In a world where only men of standing received a formal education, Umrao was taught music, languages, penmanship and mathematics.  Good families sent their sons to Umrao to learn not only "the facts of life" but also the correct way to eat, sit at a table and make conversation.

The novel was adapted into a famous Hindi movie in the 1980's.  The play follows the basic story line of the novel except that Umrao appears and narrates her story to a 21st century writer who seems to have conjured her and Ruswa to the stage while researching the story.

Originally written in Hindustani in 1993, the play premiered in Delhi and was translated into English for this production.  It relates to Umrao as a woman during a turbulent time in India's history and about her feelings and  status in a man's world. [Read More]