Review: JANNAT CENTRAL at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai

A touching story that teaches you how to appreciate life's finer moments while making you laugh and reach out for a box of tissues simultaneously is what makes up the storyline for a play tiled Jannat Central. The play that explores the genre of dance-drama, that has been gaining popularity in the theatre world in India, is a heart-rending expression of an emotional story through the medium of dance.

Directed by award-winning theatre artist Trishla Dutt, the play premiered at the prestigious Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai in January this year. The critical acclaim about the sensitive portrayal of mental illness, an issue that has not been explored much in Indian theatre, prompted the makers to organize for successive showings last week. The play received packed audiences at the Prithvi Theatre.

The highlight of the play remains the seamless blending of an emotional story enacted and told through the medium of dance. A range of dance forms such as the classical Kathak is combined with various others such as Rumba, Hip Hop, Samba, Belly dance, Japanese Butoh along with the soulful Sufi movements.

The story progresses with a lot of tears and laughter and tells the journey of a schizophrenic daughter and his father. The story begins with introducing us to the characters of two girls named J and Nutty. The two are poles apart and have peculiar but diametrically different ways to chin up and brace their lives. The arrival of a dance teacher in their lives begins to change their attitudes and perspectives their challenges.

Famous Bollywood choreographer and renowned model Alesia Raut make their theatrical debut through this play. Both the characters do full justice to the nuances the role demand. Dealing with a subject as fragile as a special child requires a dexterity and control of emotions and that balance is what gives the play a special mention. The weaving of the story with dance and music renditions is a suave display of talent and Jannat Central excels in that.