Abraham Karmpanal (left) and Rohit Dave drama train driver Staged by GNATAK | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In 1979, a group of young people in Bangalore – graduate students, doctors, engineers and scientists – came together, a theater collective English plays came together to make ganatak, which exposed the lives of those on the margin. The group remained active for nearly eight years before passing, with a series of presentations inspired by the functions of international playwrights leading to revived in the early 2000s.
On May 10, GNatak will have a platform train driver In Thiruvananthapuram. The 70-minute drama, recently written by the deceased South African playwright Ethol Fugrad, is directed by Enk Ghosh-an independent filmmaker and writer who also directed the opening production of Gnetac, island (Also by Fugdard), in 1979.
Metroplus Currently caught with the GNatak team in the city: actor Abraham Karimpanal and Rohit Dave, and technical crew members, Michael Joseph (light) and Sutosom Chakraborty (sound).
Abraham and Michael, both 65, are with Ganataka since their inception. Abraham, a director and Prakash designer, also worked with stallwarts such as Nevalam Narayan Panikar, Graceas Devraj and Prakash Ashwani. Michael, a filmmaker and teacher, is a teacher at Datsey School for Storyians in Thiruvananthapuram, known for their leading work with various institutions, Zebu Animation Studios and Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP) have a collaboration between Kerala.
Rohit, 53, was earlier with the Rafriki theater and has also worked on a large scale as a voice artist. Sutosom, in the late 20s of its 20s, is a CG light artist and mentor in Datsi; This production marks their first cooperation with GNatak.
Reality on stage
train driver A harsh real-life phenomenon is based on a mother who died of suicide on a railway track with her three young children. In the drama, after an African train driver, roll visi, a black woman and her child running over her train, she is still on her back. With guilt, he turns into a cemetery and meets Simon, Black Gravadigar assigned the task of burying the nameless dead. As their conversation comes out, the Rolf slowly begins to create an understanding of its inner turmoil and the world around it.
(From left) Rohit Dave, Abraham Karampan, Michael Joseph and Sutosome Chakraborty | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Abraham and Rohit are portraying Simon and Rolf respectively since the first staging of the drama in 2014,” says Rohit. One of the reasons chosen by this piece is its logistics ease – it has only two actors and can be performed at any place, “Rohit says.” But more than that, although it was written in South Africa after apartheid, the topic still resonance. It’s about two people-from very different backgrounds-is trying to understand each other. “Abraham says,” This is an emotional work and a challenge for any actor. This is suit our style. “
Michael expands on it. “We are impressed by the choice of Jerzy Grotovsky, Peter Brook, and Eugenio Barba – Pioneers who went to the physical theater, who celebrate the body and dislike the centrality of the spoken word ‘
For lighting, Michael says it develops with each performance. “Fugard plays over time with the remaining in the same physical setting. A scene can begin at night and slip at night – so I have to make a subtle change.”
Sutosom sees this experience as an opportunity for development. “This is a chance to push itself and contribute to a different dimension in production,” he says.
Abraham notes that train driver In Kerala, the audience will offer a different theater. “It is not a traditional professional theater, nor is it style, experimental type. It is about common people and raw feelings. We do not use masks or exaggerated movements to hide the story.”
Team sees production as a tribute to Fujard and their work body. “It is notable to see him mature in a master playwright. The craft developed as a writer was very beautiful and fine,” says Michael.
The train driver manufactured by Datsi School for StoryTellers and Zebu Animation Studios will be staged on 10 May at Ganesh, Thakoud. For tickets, contact 9447112918.
Published – May 08, 2025 12:38 PM IST
