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Kafka's "Giraftari" an adaptation of famous novel "The Trial"

Date: 10 March 2021

The Embassy of the Czech Republic presented a theatrical performance of the famous play "Giraftari" an adaptation of Franz Kafka's iconic and popular novel "The Trial" the event that took place on 05 March,2021. The play was the first staged at the Shri Ram Centre for Art and Culture (Mandi House) New Delhi since the coronavirus-induced lockdown on March 25th, 2020. It was a debut production of Rama Theatre Natya Vidya (RATNAV) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the Austrian Embassy, the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Delegation of the European Union in India and Sideways Consulting Company.

It is the story of a common Indian man in contemporary Delhi, who has become alienated from society. The director has used a combination of moribund Indian oral and folk forms in the play. The play included art forms ranging from Keerat from Rajasthan to Tasha Dhol and Nafiri instruments from the streets of Purani Delhi. Hence, the play snake and lot of dramatics and theatrics.

Rama Pandey, writer, director and actor of 'Giraftari' said: I am so happy that I could share my love for theatre because theatre is life and If Kafka's life has shown us anything, it is that one can be made to live in fear but one can still write fearlessly for themselves and the society they live in. "Both countries, Czechia and Austria, have been brought together by their love and deep historical connections with Kafka's life and legacy. It is a treat for Hindi speaking lovers of Kafka's work. This endeavour brought together the international literary works and the diverse folk arts and artists of India. Later on, RATNAV aims to showcase the play in Austria and the Czech Republic as well."

 

The Czech Ambassador Milan Hovorka commented: "I am really pleased that Franz Kafka's popular novel "The Trial" has been adapted into a theatre play 'Giraftari' which is performed by the group RATNAV and directed by Mrs. Rama Pandey. Czech and Austrian Embassies are again jointly supporting the play not only because Franz Kafka was born in Czech Republic (that time Bohemia) and died in Austria but mainly because they consider Franz Kafka as one of the most influential European writers of the 20th century. Theatre is a great form of art in which actors and visitors can share their emotions in the most immediate way."

 

Matthias Radosztics, Charge d affaires' of the Austrian Embassy, New Delhi said, "I must applaud Rama Pandey for bringing Franz Kafka to the masses by virtue of adapting his famous work 'The Trial' into a Hindi play. A wonderful breakthrough; and now with the staging of Giraftari in Delhi, she together with the Austrian Cultural Forum has taken the initiative of bringing theatre back to life."

The Guests of Honor at the Premiere were Chargé d'affaires of the European Union in India Mr. Raimund Magis and former Indian External Affairs Minister Mr. Salman Khurshid and he was supportive of the fact that the theatre is returning to Delhi.

 

The show was brilliant. Crowd was appreciating and having an extraordinary time and a wonderful experience. The prescribed capacity of the house was fully reached and dozens of people, who came later, could not be taken inside the theatre due to the epidemiological restrictions. It was a successful event. The story line was great and the actors didn't skip a beat, incredible performances, wonderful staging, and fun from beginning to  end. We are looking forward for more such events.

 

The full play can be seen here:  youtube

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