The first day of the festival kicked off with a flurry of activities, with children eagerly participating in 26 different engagements tailored to their interests and age groups. From storytelling sessions to craft corners, doodle walls to theatrical performances, there was something for every young mind to explore and indulge in. Over the course of two days, there were 50 sessions with 27 speakers. 

The festival grounds were meticulously divided and colour coded into various zones according to different age groups, each offering a unique experience. The Kahani Kund created in the amphitheater, adorned with vibrant hues and puppets, transported children into a realm of storytelling magic. Here, they were regaled with tales spun by master storytellers who breathed life into the characters with their enchanting narratives.

Meanwhile, the Krishnayan auditorium witnessed the transformation of young participants into budding thespian under the guidance of drama director Abhishek Mudgal. Here, they learned the art of voice modulation and theatrical expression, delving into the world of drama and performance.

Throughout the festival, children were encouraged to unleash their creativity in various workshops and interactive sessions. From crafting intricate pieces in the Craft Corner to expressing themselves on the Doodle Wall, every corner of the festival resonated with the hum of creativity.

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Swati Roy, the Festival Director of Bookaroo, emphasized the profound impact of literature on children’s lives, highlighting the importance of nurturing a love for reading from an early age. “Books are children’s best friends,” she remarked, underscoring the role of literature in shaping young minds and fostering empathy and understanding. 

In today’s fast-paced world, where parents express concern about their children drifting away from academics, it is imperative that we reevaluate our approach. Writers possess a unique ability to connect with children, as they intricately weave emotions and experiences into words, offering a perspective that resonates deeply with young minds. The Bookaroo Festival serves as a platform to introduce children to these insightful authors, providing them with the opportunity to explore literature that speaks directly to their hearts and imaginations.

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A diverse array of speakers

The Festival presents an extraordinary array of literary figures this season. Among them are Aarathi Prasad, National Geographic’s Regional Manager for Europe and Western Asia, celebrated for her work Silk: A History in Three Metamorphoses. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Ajay Jadeja will also grace the event, alongside Anand Neelakantan, renowned for his Bahubali trilogy and Asura: Tale of the Vanquished. Anjan Sundaram, the award-winning author of Bad News: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship, and Ben Macintyre, known for bestselling titles like Operation Mincemeat and SAS: Rogue Heroes, will share their insights.

Moreover, attendees can anticipate engaging discussions with Bonnie Garmus, a talented novelist and creative director, Gulzar, well known poet and scriptwriter and Georgi Gospodinov, recipient of the Jan Michalski Prize for Literature. Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal and author of I Am an Ordinary Man: India’s Struggle for Freedom (1914–1948), will offer his perspective. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hernan Diaz will join the lineup, as will Jonathan Freedland, the Orwell Prize-winning journalist known for The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World. Katherine Rundell, winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize, and Katie Kitamura, acclaimed for her recent novel Intimacies, will also enrich the Festival with their presence. Nicholas Shakespeare, a prize-winning British novelist and biographer of Ian Fleming, along with Sital Kalantry, a distinguished law professor and writer of Court on Trial, and Sonora Jha, professor of journalism and author of The Laughter and Foreign, complete this illustrious gathering of literary talents.

Gulzar

Sustainable festival

This year the festival has an endeavour towards a zero-waste and more sustainable Festival through a series of initiatives and partnerships, including Earth Day. The Festival will also aim to move towards a more carbon-neutral upcoming edition with its green partners.

 
Jaipur Music Stage (JMS)

The JMS will present a diverse array of artists from the Indian subcontinent, offering a rich tapestry of musical genres that reflect a fusion of style, sound, and history.

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and poet Alif (Mohammad Muneem) will be performing on the first evening. He is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival Award for the single Lalnawat, IRAA Award for the single Like a Sufi, and the IIMA Award for ‘Best Folk Song’ – Ride Home.  The evening will also feature The Tapi Project, comprising Yogendra Saniyawala (acoustic & bass guitar, lyrics, composition), Swati Minaxi (voice), Gaurav Kapadia (drums) and Biju Nambiar (keyboards, bass and drums). The band experiments with intricate genres in music like folk, trip-hop, jazz, and ambient textures and uses folk instruments as an essential part of their band.

The second evening of JMS will feature Prabh Deep, a Delhi-based multi-faceted artist, who has evolved into one of the region’s brightest visionaries, making his mark as one of the best storytellers in the game today. The second evening will also feature a performance by The Revisit Project, a group which unravels the complexity and rigour of jazz with a distinctive and characteristic twist. Their music combines a solid groove, old-school funk, and rhythmic jazz while offering pointed observations about life, love, and politics in India.

The Revisit Project

The final evening will witness an incredible set featuring renowned singer-songwriters Harpreet and Salman Elahi. Harpreet is a versatile artiste who sings original musical compositions in Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Assamese, Rajasthani and Haryanvi. He is best known for creating musical scores to epic works of humanist poets like Kabir and Bulleh Shah. Mumbai-based musician Salman Elahi’s soothing voice has captured the hearts of over 20 million people worldwide with his popular song Pahadon Mein. Writing and singing primarily in Urdu/Hindi, Elahi believes in using his music to express his thoughts about life and self-discovery. The evening will also showcase India’s ever-evolving band When Chai Met Toast (WCMT). The band consists of vocalist Ashwin Gopakumar, guitarist Achyuth Jaigopal, keyboard player Palee Francis and drummer Pai Sailesh. 

When Chai Met Toast

Jaipur BookMark

The Jaipur BookMark (JBM) unfolds alongside the Festival, spanning five days this year and hosting a diverse lineup of sessions featuring prominent figures from the publishing world. These sessions cover a wide array of topics, including the exploration of Indian literature across languages and scripts, the representation of diverse sexualities in regional language publishing, and the commemoration of DC Books’ 50-year journey. Additionally, discussions delve into multilingual publishing in the Global South, the evolving dynamics of book marketing in the age of social media, fostering early readers through picture books, and grappling with challenges such as taxation and piracy in the publishing industry.

Highlighted sessions at JBM encompass a broad range of themes, from engaging dialogues on the evolution of Indian literature to discussions on the representation of diverse sexualities in regional language publishing. Moreover, sessions celebrate milestones like DC Books’ 50th anniversary and explore pressing issues such as multilingual publishing in the Global South, the transformation of book marketing strategies in the digital era, nurturing young readers through illustrated books, and addressing challenges like taxation and piracy in the publishing landscape.

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Office Secrets

Harish has five published books to his credit. His latest book, Office Secrets, takes an unserious look at many interesting human aspects of office life and the learnings that these secrets hold for us. “After being in the corporate world for 36 years, I realized that we take ourselves too seriously at work. We should take our work seriously but we should be able pull ourselves away from a work situation. Simple things like a good filter coffee, kindness and thirty minutes of me-time are secrets that can help one be far more successful and happier at one’s workplace”, said Harish while talking about the book. The book discusses a range of subjects such as the best methods of fighting exhaustion, organizing your work desk, the power of listening, why kindness is so important and what you can learn from the cookies that your colleagues eat.

Reverse Mentoring

Harish was selected as one of the ‘Top Voices in India’ by LinkedIn. But how he learnt to use LinkedIn is a qissa worth sharing and learning from. When he first came across LinkedIn, he did not know what to do with it or how to use it. So he requested a younger colleague for help who then showed him the ropes. His colleague explained what the platform was about and helped him set up his profile – the right picture to use, how to write his bio, how to interact and connect with people on the platform. During the pandemic Harish turned to using LinkedIn to share stories from the Tata Group with the hashtag #TataStories. The series was eventually published as a book of the same name. These stories developed a wide and enthusiastic online readership. Harish believes that every manager over forty should be mentored by an extremely young colleague so they can acquire the new-age knowledge the young person is familiar with. He calls this Reverse Mentoring.

The Jubilee Diamond

Harish also narrated a fascinating tale of Dorabji Tata, the second Chairman of Tata Group and a diamond. While in London in the early 1900s, he found what was then the world’s largest diamond – The Jubilee Diamond. He said, “This is such a wonderful diamond, I must gift it to my wife as a token of my love.” The lady Meherbai Tata used to wear it on a very delicate chain. In 1924, Tata Steel found itself struggling with liquidity crunch. Dorabji Tata pledged the Jubilee diamond with the Imperial Bank of India (now State Bank of India), along with some other jewellery to secure a loan of Rs 1 crore. The money was used to pay off the debts and the rest is history, with Tata Steel eventually growing to be one of the country’s largest and most impactful companies. 27 August, when the event was held in Jaipur, was incidentally also the birth anniversary of Dorabji Tata.

Heirloom Recipes

As the tales with Harish Bhat drew to a close, the event transformed into a culinary odyssey, “Gharane ki Kahaniyan,” curated by the culinary artisans of Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar. This menu celebrated heirloom recipes from Rajasthani Gharanas. The chefs explained the ancient cooking processes while whipping up delicious plates for the guests to enjoy.

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Diverse captures

The photographs on display capture tigers in a myriad of actions, showcasing their raw power and grace. Some frames freeze the intense moments of tigers in action, as they roar with unrivaled majesty, take a daring leap, or stealthily stalk their prey while hunting. The exhibition also tenderly portrays heartwarming scenes of tigresses nurturing their adorable cubs, fostering a sense of tenderness amidst their wild aura. Visitors are enthralled by the scenes of tigers congregating at the watering hole, forming herds, and occasionally caught in contemplation while staring right into the camera, their captivating gaze piercing through the lens and into the hearts of all who witness them. Additionally, the photographers have captured the thrilling encounters of tigers with safari jeeps, making the viewers feel as though they are face-to-face with these awe-inspiring creatures. Each photograph encapsulates the essence of these majestic beings.

The exhibition is not merely a visual delight; it is an earnest call to action to safeguard the future of our country’s  national animal. As visitors stroll through the remarkable exhibits, they are bound to develop a deeper connection with these remarkable big cats and realize the urgency of their conservation.

Raising Awareness

The JTF Founder, Dhirendra K Godha, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about tigers among the general public. “Rajasthan’s tiger population has reached a significant milestone, crossing the 100 mark. The state boasts four tiger reserves, namely Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukandra, and the newly established Bundi Tiger Reserve, where three adorable cubs were recently born”, he said.

The inauguration of the exhibition witnessed esteemed personalities such as Rajasthan Food Minister, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, and Chairman of Rajasthan Housing Board, Pawan Arora, IAS, as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively. PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, Arindam Tomar, Pramod Jain (Chairman, ARL Group), and wildlife filmmaker, S. Nalla Muthu, graced the event as special guests.

Visiting the exhibition, Rajsamand MP and member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Diya Kumari, commended the photographers for their dedication and passion displayed through their captivating images. She stated that the photographs showcased the photographers’ years of hard work and their genuine commitment to the cause of tiger conservation.

Diya Kumari also expressed her pride in the nation’s overall efforts, as the tiger population has shown substantial growth from 3167 to 3677. She pledged to work towards making Kumbhalgarh another tiger reserve, emphasizing the collective responsibility of everyone in this noble objective.

When: 29 July to 1 August
Where: Sudarshan Art Gallery, JKK

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SHABANA’S SHADES OF LIFE

The legendary actress and social activist, Shabana Azmi, graced the members of FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) Jaipur with her presence in an enlightening session titled “Shades of Life.” The event saw an enthusiastic gathering of women entrepreneurs eager to hear the insightful words of Padmashri and Padma Bhushan awardee, Shabana Azmi. She was in conversation with FLO Jaipur Chairperson, Neha Dhadda. During the session, Azmi threw light on the various hues of her life.

Connecting with Real Life

In her engaging session, Shabana Azmi emphasized the importance for actors, celebrities, and artists to maintain a strong connection with real life as their resource base. She highlighted the risk of becoming isolated and detached from the essence of life while pursuing stardom. “One often loses oneself in the process of becoming a star, surrounded by their own circle and missing out on opportunities to meet diverse people,” she expressed. Azmi stressed the need for constant effort in making life a resource, a foundation from which creativity can bloom.

Nurturing Relationships

Delving into the realm of relationships, Azmi offered valuable insights, stating that often, people tend to take those closest to them for granted. She emphasized that any relationship requires continuous work and effort, regardless of its nature. Azmi cautioned against the trend she observes in the younger generation, where the focus on the grandeur of weddings overshadows the commitment to nurturing and sustaining marriages. “Marriage necessitates everyday adjustment with your spouse, and it won’t happen automatically,” she emphasized. Azmi highlighted the importance of dealing with the mundane aspects of marriage, as romance often takes a backseat once the wedding bells have faded.

Bond with Javed

When discussing her own relationship with renowned writer Javed Akhtar, Azmi candidly revealed, “Though Javed writes some of the most romantic lyrics and poetry, he does not have a single romantic bone in his body.” She described their bond as a strong friendship, where they share a common worldview and find solace in each other’s companionship.

Redefining Masculinity

Hailing from a family that fought against gender discrimination, Azmi stressed the significance of empowering both girls and boys in the present day. While acknowledging the progress made in empowering girls, she asserted the need to redefine the notion of masculinity and foster a more inclusive society.

Art for Social Change

Azmi, who comes from a lineage of socially conscious individuals, emphasized the use of art as a potent instrument for social change. She expressed her determination to carry forward her family’s legacy and utilize her craft to advocate for societal transformation.

LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Addressing the topic of the LGBTQ+ community, Azmi acknowledged the progress made in granting them a voice. She highlighted her own groundbreaking film, “Fire,” released over two decades ago, which sparked controversy and debate surrounding homosexuality.”It is heartening to see the positive change, where the film has now become a cult classic,” she remarked, emphasizing that personal choices deserve respect and acceptance.

Cinema’s Evolution

Discussing the changing landscape of cinema, Azmi applauded the rise of more substantial and diverse roles for women on screen. She expressed her delight in witnessing female characters evolving beyond the limited roles of forgiving wives or loving mothers. The actress attributed this positive shift to the advent of OTT platforms, which have provided opportunities for women to portray multidimensional characters and break free from stereotypes.

Supporting Theater

While discussing various aspects of artistic expression, Shabana Azmi turned her attention to the world of theater, shedding light on its enriching nature while expressing concern about its inadequate funding. Azmi passionately declared, “Theater deserves the recognition and financial support it so rightly deserves.” She urged the audience to appreciate the immense value of theater by actively paying for tickets and wholeheartedly supporting the arts. According to Azmi, these forms of expression require conscious effort and collective support to thrive and continue inspiring audiences. “I never go to a play or get a book for free”, added Azmi.

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Preserving Tradition and Legacy

Women musicians have played a vital role in folk cultures, carrying forward the legacy of their communities through generations. Unlike their male counterparts, their engagement with the art form is driven purely by joy and a deep connection to their heritage, rather than a competitive space. They have been instrumental in passing forward traditions, ensuring the continuity of folk music. This event sought to appreciate and celebrate their significant contributions, shining a spotlight on their invaluable role in keeping the art form alive.

A Collaborative Journey

The workshop preceding the performance brought together women folk musicians and theater practitioners from Rajasthan. This convergence of diverse voices, experiences, and communities fostered an atmosphere of creativity and exploration. Collaborating with theater practitioners enabled the artists to delve deeper into their personal narratives, meditate on the intrinsic beauty of their stories, and reimagine their music in a fresh and innovative light. The workshop provided a platform for self-expression and experimentation, transcending the boundaries of conventional performance.

A Mesmerizing Musical Theater Show

The culminating performance at JKK was nothing short of extraordinary. Through a combination of music, theater, and storytelling, the artists shared their journeys, memories, and emotions with the audience. The songs performed evoked powerful nostalgia, reflecting the artists’ experiences of childhood, friendship, family, and love. The program, aptly titled “Main Jo Karti Kyu Karti,” aimed to celebrate womanhood and artistic identities.

A Unique Perspective

The program attempted to showcase women in a unique light, highlighting their comical, notorious, yet innocent side. The performances revealed the multifaceted nature of these women, challenging stereotypes and reclaiming the feminine in folk. Notably, this was the first time that women folk artists from different communities and regions of Rajasthan collaborated for a musical theater production. Their collective efforts resulted in a poetic and boundary-pushing experience.

Artistry Beyond Performance

The performance at JKK defied traditional staging conventions by utilizing unconventional spaces like the terrace and staircase. By doing so, it embraced the notion that folk is not limited to exotic performances but is a way of life. With no direction or flow per se, the performance flowed organically, embodying the essence of ‘folk’ as a boundless art form. The distinctive fusion of music, theater, and architecture created an immersive experience that transported the audience into the world of these talented women musicians.

Mediating the Journey

The workshop’s primary aim was to provide an intimate medium for the women folk musicians to express their journey and make it accessible to diverse audiences. Conversations, music, and theater served as powerful tools for self-expression, enabling the artists to navigate their creative paths authentically. Liberated from the need to solely please the audience, the workshop encouraged the musicians to delve into the depths of their work and find profound meaning within themselves.

The performance was a testament to the enduring power of women musicians in preserving and evolving folk cultures. Through their performances, they illuminated the resilience, beauty, and artistic identity woven into their stories and music. The collaboration between artists from different communities and the unconventional approach taken during the workshop as well as the performance marked a significant milestone in celebrating women in folk and redefining the boundaries of artistic expression.

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Skand embarked on the creative journey of ‘Neo Electoro’ in November 2019, during a time of social and political unrest in India, as protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) were at their pinnacle. In the midst of these chaotic times, Skand began crafting his musical masterpiece, channeling his emotions into a collection of songs that would resonate deeply with listeners.

The recording process coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. Skand’s determination and resilience allowed him to navigate the challenges posed by the unprecedented circumstances. In an atmosphere of unpredictability and chaos, he found solace in dedicating almost a year to writing, recording, and producing the album.

An immersive experience

Skand’s fascination with synth sounds is at the core of ‘Neo Electoro.’ He explores the concept of creating unique sounds from a single constant electrical signal, allowing for infinite possibilities of modulation. The result is an atmospheric, ambient, and meditative music experience that envelopes the listener, inducing a sense of immersion akin to the initial discomfort that leads to a meditative state. Skand himself explains, “We are always already immersed,” emphasizing the inherent immersion found within his work.

Multi-dimensional experience

What sets Skand apart is his multifaceted artistic background. He is not just an electronic musician but also an accomplished artist and photographer who has both studied and taught at MSU Baroda. ‘Neo Electoro’ is more than just an album; it is an exhibition-installation that offers a multi-dimensional and multi-sensory experience. Skand has created a captivating world with a three-channel video installation, captivating artworks, and interactive installations, all designed to transport the audience into a realm beyond their imagination. By incorporating various media forms, Skand defies the limitations of a singular medium, demonstrating the potential for artistic expression to transcend boundaries and engage with audiences in innovative ways.

To showcase the album in this extraordinary manner, the selection of the venue played a pivotal role. The experiential exhibition is currently being held at the Oralities Research Lab Foundation, located in Raja Park. This unique space serves as a hub for researching and exploring oralities as an alternative medium to social media, while also critically examining the complex nature of exhibitions in contemporary arts. Within the foundation, visitors can enjoy a free reading room, featuring an extensive collection of books, and a screening room that showcases curated films by international curators. This choice of venue adds another layer of artistic depth to Skand’s Neo Electoro, immersing attendees in a thought-provoking experience.

Fostering awareness of reality

The album serves as a profound commentary on the emotions and struggles experienced during the pandemic. Skand expertly captures the feelings of loneliness, strangeness, and the breakdown of everyday life. As the world grappled with political turmoil, soaring COVID-19 deaths, and a lack of certainty, Skand delves into themes of depression, anxiety, and the collapse of safety and security. The album’s tracks also tackle a range of other concerns, from the refugee crisis to redefining masculinity, the implications of nationality, all within the broader context of feeling alienated and disconnected.  Through his music, he invites listeners to confront their realities and engage with their environment, fostering awareness rather than escape.

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Drawing from her personal experiences of overcoming adversity, including battling an autoimmune disease and recovering from a broken tendon, Jaura shared her hard-earned wisdom on empowering the mind. She emphasized that the energy we radiate is directed by the focus of our attention. Therefore, it is paramount to direct our thoughts towards positivity and consciously put a halt to negative emotions and self-doubt.

Thoughts become things

Delving deeper into the realm of thoughts and emotions, Jaura illuminated the audience on the constant creation of these intangible facets of human existence. Every passing second, thoughts and emotions spring forth within us. While fear, the highest negative emotion, can hold us back, unconditional love stands as the pinnacle of positive emotions. However, attaining such a state requires dedicated practice and unwavering focus through tapasya (austerity) and dhyan (meditation). Jaura also emphasized the significance of gratitude, the second-highest positive emotion, urging everyone to cultivate a deep sense of gratitude from within, for it has the power to transform lives.

The Power of Choice

The power of the mind was deeply underlined as Jaura likened it to a ubiquitous WiFi router emitting signals that envelop our entire being. The mind serves as a storehouse for thoughts and emotions, with an astonishing range of 60,000 to 80,000 emotions passing through it each day, equivalent to roughly 14 to 35 thoughts per minute. Astonishingly, an overwhelming 90 to 97% of these thoughts lean towards the negative spectrum, while only a meager 3% harbour positivity. It is at this juncture that the mind’s potency and the power of choice come into play, shaping our perception of reality.

The concept of Karma

Shedding light on the concept of karma, Jaura unveiled its profound depth, extending beyond mere actions and words. She enlightened the audience that karma begins with the very inception of a thought, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a mindful and present mindset.

Simple yet effective tips

As she concluded her insightful discourse, Jaura shared a few invaluable tips: embrace the beauty of living in the moment, cultivate mindfulness as a way of life, and above all, strive to forgive, as forgiveness is the gateway to a life adorned with enduring peace. The session left an indelible impression on the attendees, fostering a newfound understanding of the power that lies within each individual.

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Origins of the ride

The origin of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride can be traced back to Sydney, Australia, where Mark Hawwa established it in 2012. His inspiration stemmed from an image of Don Draper, a character from the TV series Mad Men, confidently seated on a classic motorcycle while donning his finest suit. Recognizing the potential to create a themed ride that could unite specialized motorcycle enthusiasts and communities, Mark decided to organize the event as a means to support men’s welfare by raising funds.

In Jaipur, the ride was organized by Morani Triumph, the sole dealer of Triumph Motorcycles in Rajasthan.  Starting from their showroom at Tonk Road, the ride the ride meandered through captivating routes of Jaipur, including the walled city, culminating at the Lazy Mojo café in Kukas. This distinctive ride boasted a cohort of approximately 35 participants, notably including four exceptional women riders who added a touch of elegance and empowerment to the event. The collective dedication of these passionate riders yielded a remarkable contribution of 750 USD towards the noble cause, igniting a beacon of hope and progress.

Participants’ Experience

Sharing his experience of the ride, a participant, Dhiraj Gupta said: “The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a unique and impactful event that combines the passion for motorcycles with the goal of raising awareness and funds for men’s health. The dress code added a unique and stylish touch to the event, giving it a distinctive visual appeal. By taking part in the event, we contributed to a global movement that aims to combat prostate cancer, support mental health, and prevent suicide. It is a fulfilling experience, knowing that our participation directly supports these vital causes. These kind of local events provide an opportunity to further connect with the riding community, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the collective achievements.”

Another participant, Sudhir Virdhi said: “It was an amazing ride. Riders managed to participate even in such hot weather. Globally, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride plays a vital role in helping to save men’s lives around the world. I have been participating in this ride since 2017.”

As the ride culminated on a note of high energy and camaraderie with the echoes of engines and the laughter of the participants, the legacy of this ride highlighted the fact that together, we can create a brighter future for all. In partnership with Triumph for the last 10 years now, the ride raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programmes that enable men to live happier, healthier and longer lives.

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Celebrating Multiculturalism

The adaptation of Moliere’s play in Hindi showcased the multicultural essence of the event. It not only celebrated the rich heritage of French theater but also highlighted the creative prowess of Indian artists, who skillfully rendered the classic masterpiece in a language familiar to the local audience. This remarkable endeavour aimed to bridge cultural gaps and foster a deeper appreciation for both French and Hindi dramatic arts.

The play was a resounding success in bringing alive the Renaissance era of 17th century France, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the students who had been diligently learning French for over a year and a half at Alliance Francaise Jaipur. Telling more about the play, Director of Alliance Francaise Jaipur, Sanjana Sarkar said: “The children of Indian Women Impact started learning French in late 2021 with the Alliance Francaise Jaipur. It has been a couple of years of hard work from the students, dedicated teachers and the team to ensure these kids have come a long way with the French language. They brought alive on stage a play based on 17^th century France adapted into their own language. This is at the heart of what we do at the Alliance Francaise – make French language and culture accessible for all.”

Embracing the spirit of French Renaissance

In addition to their French language studies, the children wholeheartedly immersed themselves in a diverse range of workshops that encompassed Moliere and French Literature, the enchanting world of 17th century France, as well as engaging activities such as Fencing, Horse riding, archery, and embroidery. These workshops allowed them to deeply connect with the intricate elements of the French Renaissance, embracing its spirit in its entirety.

Directed by Mudita Choudhary, the play embraced an eclectic approach that aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the French Renaissance while delving into thought-provoking themes such as the subjugation of women and the significance of education and individual choice. Moliere’s masterful storytelling skillfully intertwined elements of education, naivety, and religion to shed light on crucial aspects of culture and society, offering the audience a profound glimpse into the complexities of the human experience.

An Unscripted End

At the heart of the play stands the compelling protagonist, Arnolphe, a striking embodiment of rigid inflexibility in his beliefs. An insecure man desperately seeking an ideal bride, he goes to great lengths, ultimately molding a young girl to fit his narrow expectations. However, as the narrative unfolds, calamity befalls him, unraveling his meticulously laid plans in a spectacularly disastrous manner. Yet, it is in the play’s poignant conclusion that its true essence flourishes, unscripted and profound. It is a testament to the power of choice, particularly in the hands of women. The ending reveals an unwavering truth—that when it comes to selecting a life partner, the ultimate decision rests solely with the woman herself. Whether she embraces the notion of choosing a companion or defies societal expectations by opting for independence, the final choice remains unequivocally hers.

The successful staging of this event in Jaipur not only enriched the cultural landscape of the Pink City but also served as a testament to the city’s growing appreciation for the performing arts. As the curtains fell and the applause filled the theater, it was evident that this extraordinary evening had left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the audience. The play will be staged again on May 13 at 6.30 pm at Jawahar Kala Kendra. Entry to the play will be free. 

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