This could be your story!

Originality of presentation, subtle humour and realistic characterisation makes this play a winner

About A Brown is more than just a play, in fact it is a juxtaposition of a play within a play, and a playwright in search of a credible story the youth group MAYA Youth in Performing Arts staged their play

About A Brown at NIDA’s Parade Theatre on July 12-13. The evening show on July 13 was packed to capacity with the foyer in the theatre bustling with all kinds of drama/art enthusiasts and in all colours - not just brown, but black and white too! After a very informal introduction by director Lakshman Nirthanakumaran and producer Maathumai Nirmalendran, the play began with the narrator introducing the main protagonist, Abhinav and the typical morning in a ‘subcontinent’ family. From the get go, the characters built rapport and connected with the audience, as they drew them into their fold, discussing their problems, seeking solutions, and at times even making the audience their confidants. The omnipresent narrator injected humour into every conceivable situation.

About A Brown is the story of Abhinav and the different people in his life. Not all of them are important to him, but each one of them comes with a message.

While Abhinav is the typical run-of-the-mill character who is mollycoddled by his mum every morning and is in a constant state of fear of disappointing his parents, his brother Varun flatters himself into thinking he is ‘the guy’ that girls would be interested in.

Unfortunately for him, reality is a far cry from his fantasy. In fact, his parents decide to find him a bride who he fears would soon turn into a ‘curry mummy’ and haunt him forever. Then there is Ariya, who falls for the wrong guys all the time and stresses over it. Poor Ariya! She just can’t help herself. Her friend Ash is so consumed in self-pity that she is even unable to enjoy the party she hosts for her own benefit.

Then there is Pradeep, a selfproclaimed poet and the focus of Ash’s affection. And of course

Nikhil and Boots - Nikhil who can’t stop talking about becoming a doctor and rattling out his family lineage crowded with doctors at the drop of a hat, and Boots who is always looking for her runaway cat (she decides to buy a pup by the end of the play). At one point, the writer even manages to introduce a typical love triangle of sorts where Pradeep is in love with Ariya and Ash is in love with Pradeep. As is customary, the play ends with all knots untied and all messes untangled.

About A Brown is more than just a play, in fact it is a juxtaposition of a play within a play, and a playwright in search of a credible story. Most of the ideas/concepts presented are mundane, but the originality of presentation laced with subtle humour lifts it to a different level, making it an unforgettable experience. The characters of the play relate so closely to real life personalities that the audience may have been laughing at themselves or the situations in which they may have often found themselves!

The live band, singers, dancers, the deft and quick change of scenes and stage management all gelled well and appeared synchronised.

About A Brown came with the message of multicultural synergy and crossing all boundaries to serve the greater good. The choices one makes defines one’s personality, reflects one’s culture and conveys how ‘Brown’ one’s life may be.

MAYA, Youth in Performing Arts supports the International Medical Health Organisation, and through the staging of the play, raised nearly $15,000. To make this possible, the organisation was supported at every step by the local community and some very philanthropic organisations and individuals.

The choices one makes defines one’s personality, reflects one’s culture and conveys how ‘Brown’ one’s life may be

The cast and the crew minimised all sorts of overheads by using community venues for rehearsals and pooling in resources for props, etc. The project not only showcased the talent of over 80 young people whose contributions at different stages and in different roles made the play a reality, but brought to the forefront the power of youth and what can be made possible when actions are driven by determination, and the desire to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Every member in the audience walked out of the hall with a smile on their faces and a grin of satisfaction. That is a mighty achievement.

India, China hold talks for peace on border

Amid reports of fresh incursions by Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Chumar sector, India and China began two-day talks recently as part of a border mechanism to ensure peace and tranquility on their disputed boundary.

The third meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs is led on the Indian side by Gautam Bambawale, joint secretary (East Asia) in the external affairs ministry and also includes representatives of the defence and home ministries, as well as other officials.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement from New Delhi that the meeting is part of a regular series of interactions between both sides. The first meeting was held in March 2012 and the last in November, 2012.

“I would like to clarify that these meetings are held between composite delegations of India and china. On our side it is being led by the ministry of external affairs, but it also has officials of the ministry of defence, ministry of home affairs and other organisations dealing with border affairs. Similarly, on the Chinese side too there is a composite delegation,” he said.

He said the meeting “deals with all issues relating to peace and tranquillity on the border since the last meeting in November 2012”.

He clarified that the meeting would not deal with boundary issues “as those are being handled by the Special Representatives of both sides. Also, the meeting does not discuss the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement because there are separate mechanisms to deal with that”.

The reported incursion by Chinese troops in Chumar comes after the three-week intrusion by Peoples Liberation Army troops April 15 in Ladakh’s Depsang area. The Depsang intrusion, which led to heightening of tension between both sides, was resolved following intense negotiations through their joint mechanisms for resolving such issues.

According to reports, Chinese troops on horseback crossed the Line of Actual Control on three occasions - on July 16, 17 and 20 in Chumar and on one occasion held posters asking the Indian forces to “vacate Chinese territory”.

India is in a relatively sound position with roads and surveillance towers in Chumar, which the Chinese are unhappy over.

Enhanced trade, n-deal on table in Biden-Manmohan meet

India and the US discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and implementation of the civil nuclear deal that was stuck in commercial negotiations, among other issues, as visiting US Vice President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met in New Delhi on July 23.

Keeping up the momentum in their ties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to visit the US by the end of September for a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama. This was discussed during talks between Biden and Manmohan Singh, a source revealed.

“The meeting between Obama and Singh will take place in the end of September, this has been confirmed. The dates have not been fixed yet. We are working on two sets of dates,” the source added.

The prime minister would attend the UN General Assembly in New York and then visit Washington for a bilateral summit with Obama. This will be Obama’s first bilateral meeting with Singh in his second term.

Biden, who arrived here on Monday for a four-day visit, met Manmohan Singh for around an hour at the Prime Minister’s official residence - 7, Race Course Road.

Both sides “discussed the synergies between India and US on a wide variety of issues and emphasised the importance the bilateral relationship has,” the source said.

The prime minister “underlined the significance of economic exchange between the two countries in helping India to tackle the host of issues relating to enhancement of the wellbeing of the Indian people”.

Both sides held discussions on energy, innovation as well as on regional issues such as Afghanistan and the neighbourhood.

“They also discussed how to take forward the commercial aspects of the civil nuclear agreement between the two countries,” said an official source.

Ahead of his visit, the US has welcomed India’s decision to increase foreign direct investment in key sectors like defence, telecom and insurance.

Immigration issues also figured in the talks, especially during Biden’s meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj. New Delhi has voiced concerns over a bill passed recently by the Senate that overhauls the H1B provision, severely impacting Indian tech firms operating in the US such as Infosys, Wipro, TCS and Satyam Mahindra.

Afghanistan, the drawdown of the USled international forces in 2014 and the new regime in Pakistan were also touched upon during discussions on regional issues.

National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Foreign Secretary-designate Sujatha Singh were present during the talks, said sources.