Starring Joanna Burnett (Art), Ravin J Ganatra (Dharma, 'Dum'), Ashvin Kumar Joshi (Kam), Murali Menon (Kiratha) and Praveen Sond (Shaks). Directed by Jatinder Verma.

'Revelations' is stuck in a time warp. Fortunately it is the same time warp that I am in! In the last of the trilogy, The Tara Arts Group explores the plight of second generation East African Asians through an hour long play of song and dance.

The idea was born out of Jatinder Verma's focus on Indians from the former English colonies of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. The mass immigration in the early 1970's that followed the tyrannical eviction of Asians out of Uganda by Idi Amin is well documented. The Tara Arts trilogy follows this history back through three generations. First came 'Genesis' (1999) and then 'Exodus' (1998) and finally Revelations (2000).

Revelations is based on extensive research conducted among young Asians in England between January and March 2000. If you want to witness a creative process in action, 'Revelations' could not be better. By taking this research, weaving it with the Indian story-telling culture and then adding his own flavour and philosophy Jatinder Verma has created an intoxicating cocktail.

Dharma, which means righteousness on earth, is the central character who begins a journey into manhood. He progresses through a range of "incarnations" as he grows up in the UK. Firstly by renouncing his culture he becomes 'Dum'. Partying and cavorting with English friends, he believes himself to be English. Another phase in his journey is a visit to "Coleybingham", an entirely Asian town where nightly viewing of Bollywood movies is compulsory! In Coleybingham, Dharma embraces his own culture and nothing else.

Accompanying him on his journey is Kiratha, an avatar of Shiva the Destroyer. In a style emulating the narrative of the 'Mahabharat', Kiratha guides Dharma with tales of good over evil. For those not used to the "Mahabharata" style it appears merely entertaining, but it also demonstrates the relevance of ancient tales in modern times. Kiratha helps to maintain focus on the core of the story. He helps Dharma to examine his own beliefs and identity.

Essentially, 'Revelations' is about Dharma finding his own identity in a land that his familiar and yet alien to him and in a culture that is remote from his own.

As he grows, Dharma realises that he does not wish to be a lawyer, but an actor. He announces his intention to give up studying law much to the despair of this family - his grandfather and his mother. Naturally, conflict ensues and results in an estrangement between Dharma and his family. During this period, Dharma's grandfather dies. Still angry, Dharma does not attend the funeral.

This last act of selfish disrespect returns to haunt him later. His regrets grow and grow until the final eruption of emotion. At this point, Dharma knows himself for the first time. The acting, particularly that of Ravin Ganatra who plays Dharma, is superb. The play is tautly scripted, well sung and equally well choreographed.

My only gripe with 'Revelations' is that it is as good as any "West End" production I have seen this year and yet it is only on tour in cold and draughty schools!

Top

For those who missed the Tara Arts Group Trilogy, some good news! The group will be performing all three plays in succession on the occasion of the company's 25th anniversary in February 2002.

Entitled 'Journey to the West' the day-long mela will comprise:

" Part 1- Genesis. 1901. Dhows, Deserts and Dirty Tricks.
32,000 indentured labourers are shipped from India by the British to build a railway in uncharted East Africa.

Part 11 - Exodus. 1968. Rifts, Refugees and Rivers of Blood.
80,000 of the children of these migrant pioneers arrive from Kenya to start a new life in Britain. In 1972 they are followed by 80,000 Ugandan refugees.

Part 111 - Revelations. 2001. Bhangra, Bollywood and British Bulldogs.
1,500,000 of their descendents report the news, cure the sick, run the corner shops, make music, play cricket, sit in the House of Lords, and now British Asian youth, born on British soil, finds its voice"

(Excerpt from the Tara Arts site www.tara-arts.com)

Top