Mickey and the Memsahib Afterthoughts

For our April selection, we read Vijay Tendulkar's 'Mickey and the Memsahib.'

Vijay Tendulkar is a Marathi playwright who has written some of the most progressive plays of post independence India. He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Academi award for play-writing. He is celebrated for the unique experimental nature of his plays, which use black humor and erratic themes to portray society.

'Mickey and the Memsahib' can be classified as one such with certainty. It was written in 1973 and the theme of the play centers around the oppressive domestic existence of an academic, who tries to escape his wife's cruelty by conducting experiments on his lab mouse name Mickey. 

Murtaza takes on the lead role and enacts the role of professor to perfection. The play begins with the professor's monologue talking to himself and mentioning all the specific chores he must complete around the house.The story of this marginalized man who is belittled and dominated by his wife is hilarious through the first part of the play.....Strange occurrences and non existent neighbors pay a visit and the familiar mixed with the unfamiliar is altogether entertaining. The professors hopes to find success in his experiments with Mickey but is shattered when Mickey is killed. Eventually he starts to lose his mind and towards the later part of the play, the absurdity deteriorates. There are elaborate prayers and rituals during the 'Bhondla' (a women's ritual-cum-game performed during the ten days of Durga Pooja) and the professor takes part in the entire affair.

The second half of the play was quite difficult to understand and Satish Alekar was unable to convey the subtle meaning and depth in his story. Or rather, it was something that was just lost in translation to us as readers.

All in all, it was an interesting experience and got us a step closer to understanding the depth and breath of India drama.

Comeplayalong rating 2.5 *