Reason to go see ‘Yuyutsu’ socio-cultural satire on patriarchy

Yuyutsu, a socio-cultural modern satire inspired from real-life events with a deep rooting in epics like The Mahabharata was premiered in Ahmedabad recently.

Reason to go see 'Yuyutsu' socio-cultural satire on patriarchy

“Ladai Kabhi Satya aur Satya Ki Nahi Hoti. Vo hamesha sach aur jyada sach ki hoti hai.” The play gives a strong social message of women empowerment.

“Lao ladka, Raho kadka. Kismat chamki, aayi ladki.”

Written and directed by Harsh Shodhan, this suspense thriller in khadi Hindi dialect for the audience above the age of 16 looks at topics ranging from s*x education, family planning, rural-urban disparity, khap panchayat, gender, caste and racial discrimination, besides acid attack, girl child education and menstruation.

Except for two scenes, almost all scenes in the play that is laced with humour unfold in a hospital near the labour room that is a subtext for Kurukshetra as the staunch patriarch who represents Shakuni, Duryodhana and Bhishma awaits arrival of a baby boy and even calls a sangeet mandli to set the ‘right mood’.

Though used as a metaphor for the society, the mandli with Nirav Barot on harmonium and Karan Gajjar on dhol attract lots of applause. The various melodious remixes from time to time in the play range from Jiyo ho Bihar k Lala to Bas tum hi ho.

Among all, mandli dancer Smit Joshi steals the show with his moves, apt timing and costume while providing comic relief. His jugalbandi with Jatin’s independent corporate friend Gagan Sinha who represents Arjuna as well as unsung hero Yuyutsu enacted by Palkesh Agarwal is something to watch out for.

The complex modern play with too many layers keeps you on the edge. The play also gives you a feeling of watching a sitcom with the way credits are announced after a few scenes. All said, Yuyutsu will stir your heart just the way it will leave a smile on your face.