New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) A play revisits the incrediblestory of anthropology enthusiast Ursula Graham Bower, wholived among the Zeme Nagas in the Northeast, stood with themagainst the Japanese forces during World War II and went on toattain a goddess-like status.
"Ursula: Queen of The Jungle" by Chris Eldon Lee saw aremarkable solo performance by Joanna Purslow, who played morethan 10 characters including Bower's daughter Catriona Childand Naga revolutionary Rani Gaidinliu who took on the British.
The 90-minute play was enacted in the national capitalthis Monday at the India Habitat Centre.
Bower, the aunt of veteran journalist Mark Tully, landedin Laisong village in Assam in 1939. A native Naga namedNamkia went on to become her interpreter and guide. Namkiaaddresses Bower as Saipui or female warrior. She became thefavourite of the villagers with her personality and also withher occasional doctor-like service, thanks to her picnicbasket of medicines.
When the Japanese forces advanced towards India in 1944,she led the Army's V Force, a group of scouts comprising localyouths, and carried out ambushes.
Bower also found her life partner during the turmoil. Shemarried young British intelligence officer Lieutenant ColonelTim Betts.
After the war ended, she and her husband settled inScotland. Bower died in 1988.
According to Child, Lee made a remarkable effort to bringthe story of her mother on stage.
The play was first written for a Shrewsbury school.
Purslow comes up with a spirited performance. If at onemoment, she is doing a Namkia, the next second she is anAmerican journalist and the very next a British officerfighting against the Japanese.
She says playing the part of Namkia was the toughest.
The play was also staged at Laisong village in Dima Hasaodistrict of Assam on December 30. PTI ZMNBK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.