Nannige muru henmakkalu iddare - Rajashree, Vanishree, Shaileshree. Nalkane henmagu aadare, enu hesaru idali? Itishree
(I have three daughters - Rajashree, Vanashree and Shaileshree. If I have a fourth, what should I name her? Itishree (Kannada for the end).
The 27th staging of Uttara Bhoopa Beechi, a Kannada play based on Rayasami Bheemasena Rao’s (BeeChi) answers to questions asked by readers in a Kannada weekly, had the audience in fits of laughter.
Adapted by playwright M C Mahesh, the witty one-liners by the humourist were imbibed into the story of a hunt for a suitable groom by the parents of college-going girl, Sudha. A discussion between the parents - the father being a fan of BeeChi’s - leads to a fight, ushering in the priest who officiated their marriage.
This provokes a not-so-friendly but witty banter, where the couple lists their out qualities they think an ideal son-in-law should embody: Well-read, street smart, sensitive, strong, courageous, tall and well-built. While their search continues, the audience is introduced to a philosophical young man, who has taken on the name BeeChi, so enamoured is he by the writer, and his worldly-wise friends. Each of the three wants to marry Sudha and responds to the classified placed by her parents in the matrimonial columns of a newspaper.
Directed by Archana Shyam, the comic timing of the actors, who are part of troupe Antharanga, seemed spot on. However, as the play went on, the jokes began to fall flat, thanks to repetitive themes. Yet, Uttara Bhoopa BeeChi manages to entertain and is apt for audiences looking for a light evening out.