Hello All,
Please feel free to forward/re-post on other groups.
Cheers,
Nitin
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'Offfbeat' is the story of Mahesh who ‘comes out' to his grandmother. A
grandmother who is reluctant to accept him. So, Mahesh convinces her to
join him and his group, consisting of homosexual men, transsexuals,
transgenders and hijras, to try to understand their issues. The play is the
journey of Mahesh and his grandmother exploring sexuality.
Despite the serious subject, the play is a comedy. It uses satire to poke
fun at patriarchy and society's narrow vision of gender and sexuality.
Zameer Kamble, Pune-based writer-director of the play, says, "For gay
people, sexual orientation is a vital aspect of their identity. I wrote
this play in order to bring about a level of acceptance and respect for
members of the gay community. I hope ‘Offbeat' at least makes people sit up
and think. Putting it together was in itself a struggle, as I had to find
some good, brave actors and get the censor certificate, which alone took
over a year.
"Many gay people either become a laughing stock or face brutal reactions
and lack of understanding, both at home and in society,” says Kamble. “This
lowers their self esteem, makes them vulnerable to infections like HIV,
and, in the extreme, forces them to commit suicide.”
'Offbeat' is also the first Marathi play to speak directly about the
problems of homosexuals in India, from the social and legal perspective.
Cast: Sagar Lodhi, Satish Sandbhor, Pravin and Sachin.
Date of the show: Sunday, 26 April 2009, at 6 pm
Venue details: Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, Dr.Bhalerao Marg, Khetwadi,
Mumbai – 400 004. Nearest railway station: Charni Road (East) Landmark: St
Teresa High School; 5 minutes walk from Charni Road station. Phone:
022-23856303, 022-23876158
Ticket rates: Rs 150, Rs 100, Rs 50. Tickets available from 24 April 2009
at the venue (Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh -- see address above).
