Tales from Croatia

Sambandhagala Sutta is a play with an all-female cast. Three ladies are essaying the role of over 15 people. Adapted from a Croatian play, it lends insight into the dynamics of different relationships. 

What started out as a project for a theatre course ended up becoming a play that is relatable to people of different age groups. Sindhu Hegde, the director says, “As part of my course, I was required to direct a play. Wanting an all-female ensemble, one of my instructors Shernaz Patel suggested that I retell this Croatian play in Kannada.” Sindhu managed to adapt this play into Kannada, and made it apt for the Indian nativity. It talks about different dynamics in relationships. “When people say that it’s feminist in nature, the natural thought is that it’s a typical play that talks about harassment, injustice etc. But this play is based on everyday things, dynamics of relationships and how it changes with ego, miscommunication and current problems in this generation,” Sindhu explains. 

It’s not just about boy-girl relationships but everyday relationships between friends, sisters, colleagues, etc. Sambandhagala Sutta has five stories showing different relationships, and the problems that arise. Sindhu adds, “A story between friends, another about kids in kindergarten, one is about old ladies who live away from their family, one is about colleagues who say that they are best friends, and the last is about two sisters who are not on talking terms.” 

The themes discussed are still relevant today. This all-women play has touched the hearts of men as well. “I have had men come up to me and say that the things that were shown are very relatable,” Sindhu adds. 

To perform such a play is no walk in the park. All three actors agree that playing five characters and switching from character to character can be daunting at first. 

Soundarya Nagaraj plays Kusuma who is in a conflict with her younger sister. Soundarya shares, “I was able to relate to this character the most as she is very sarcastic, independent and holds her head high. She has faced problems with relationships in the past so she is not very open to trusting in relationships.” This play deals with how a lady goes through five different stages in life — childhood old age, and how the relationship is at that particular stage. 

Sushma Nanjundaswamy adds, “I was able to relate more to the mother and kid role. I think all three of us will be able to relate to children as we would done the same mischief. It’s not easy to get into the role of a child. Shri Priya who is also a Bharatanatyam dancer says, “Kanika is a character close to me. She comes in the story when two sisters are at war. Usually, you are misunderstood for your actions and you don’t get a chance to explain yourself. Switching roles was difficult as we did not have any time. It was an instant switch. We had to work on body language for each character.” 

This play has been done in over 36 languages across the world. But in India, it was done in English in Mumbai and in Kannada in the city. 

— The play will be staged at Ranga Shankara on June 10.