Chennai-based theatre group stages Vaikom Basheer’s stories in Shivamogga

The Chennai-based theatre group Perch staged “Under the Mangosteen Tree,” a play based on the short stories of celebrated Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, at Shivamogga Rangayana here on Wednesday. The little over two-hour play left the audience impressed, thanks to its script, narration, skilful acting and stage presentation of the stories.

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer is widely known for his short stories and his active participation in the freedom movement; he was jailed and tortured by the police multiple times. The writer is popular among Kannada readers as well.

Interestingly, director Rajiv Krishnan has designed the play so that Basheer himself takes centre stage and handles the responsibility of narrator. The play opens with two characters regaling the audience with their funny movements and engaging them in a friendly exchange of greetings, setting the mood before the narrative proper begins.