Kashmakash: Dealing with societal taboos

Saitan Theater group successfully organized a Hindi drama - Kashmakash at the Akshara Theater recently in the national capital. The two-series play is based on the complications of family relations where a son returns after seven years to soothe his parents, with a wish to unite his family as he was the one responsible for all their sufferings because of his own love - and to make the situation more complex, he was in an incest relationship with his sister.

The play, scripted and directed by Rajneesh Gautam, founder of Saitan Theater group, included Anish Sachdeva, Armeen Kaur Ahuja, Rennet Attri, Shashank Rawat and Saket Rateria in the cast. When asked about the choice of subject, Rajneesh said, “This topic is considered as a taboo not only in India but in other countries too, we avoid talking about it.  Medical Science, Psychology and society structure consider it abnormal. However we understand that emotions and feelings don’t follow structure. Love has no boundaries.” The actors did a tremendous job in portraying the characters effortlessly. The romantic shayaris in the play touched the heart and soul of the audience, while the live music of the play served as its USP which was given by Vikas Sagar and Sagar Gautam. The stage designing was done beautifully by Devika Sharma. Saitan Theater group has produced shows including ‘The Deadly Sins’, ‘Murder at the Empress’ and ‘Qaidi No 666’. All the plays were  appreciated for excellent acting and direction. “Actually, the word SAITAN is derived from Saint and Satan, it wants to present before the world the two extremes that exist in every person. Our mission is to prove that we all have our good side and bad- we are our own God and Devil,” said Namita Verma, the co-founder of Saitan.