Most things start and end at poetry for Ashtam Neelkanth. Therefore, it was no surprise that he decided to explore the rhythmic quality of poetry through dramaturgy, in a musical dance drama called Zikra.
The script for this presentation has been adapted from his eponymous book of poetry. The book is a collection of conversations with the self, and self and others. Each from in them brings the context in which the poet thrives every day.
The themes for the play, just like the book, ranges from romance, tragedy, urban life, satire, childhood, hope, an imagined world, to abstract ideas. “The procedure for writing it is the same as directing the play. You simply start and then allow yourself to go with the flow,” says Neelkanth.
He doesn’t have to go looking for inspiration. It’s envelopes his existence. But him being an over thinker helps him find inspiration in the most mundane of situations. Often in the middle of deep brooding, he finds epiphanies. And right there, poetry germinates. For instance, he once smelt burnt tea and his thoughts manifested into the following lines: ‘Zyaada ubalne par jal bhi sakte hain ye khayaal, zubaan kaa zaayqa kharaab kar dete hain, jale khayal, kadve khayal’.
Besides feeling accomplished with his directorial endeavours this year, he has achieved a physical feat that he’s proud of. “I trekked a mountain all by myself, defying every shackle of disability (I am a person with disability).
Through his words, he hopes to make the world a better place. “We need simplicity,” he says furrowing his eyebrows in concern. Things are simple but people complicate them, he believes. Theatre is a good reality check. Hold it up as a mirror and take a deep, careful look. December 10, at 6.30 pm, Akshara Theatre.