A scene from the play Aakaash

Theatre is good when insightful direction, stellar performances by hand-picked troupe members, innovative lighting and music and authentic sets and costumes come together seamlessly.

But theatre is great when the soul of the play — as the playwright intended it — comes alive. This is where Baharul Islam, director and lead actor of Aakaash comes up trumps.

The play was the fifth presentation at the seven-day Natasurjya Phani Sarma Memorial Drama Festival held at Rabindra Bhavan from July 31 to August 6. Based on a short story by Bhabendra Nath Saikia, Aakaash blended action and narration perfectly.

The simple storyline projects the concern of a father, who receives an anonymous letter revealing the love trysts of his son-in-law to be. With six days to go for the wedding, the old man is troubled but recalls his own youth and the relationships he shared. He then realises that such affairs matter little in life, but just as he is about to share his relief with his distraught wife, she tells him the same thing herself. Coming from his wife, the philosophical realisation soon morphs into suspicion and a new cause for concern takes root in his mind.

Aakaash was a one-man show. Apart from impassioned narration, Baharul Islam has convincingly portrayed the protagonist in different stages of his life.

The play illustrates a restrained design while bringing in female characters and their measured presence was just enough to make an impact. Aakaash has its light moments too, but maintains a well-controlled pace throughout.

Bhagirathi’s innovative lighting added to the flavour of the play.