THE APOLOGY

Written and Directed by Meghna Roy Choudhury

About the Play
“My Guru is long dead;
he will never say the words that I have longed to hear, hence it must be imagined.”
But what is a true apology? Are there steps to it? And is an apology enough?

Through her own inner sanctum, she crafts an apology imagined, tailored for her, by her, to her, channelling her revered Guru. Questioning the brutality of a teaching system that claims deep-rooted tradition but trembles for survival in the modern world, she awakens. Those who bore the torch shattered her, yet the classical dance form itself sets her free. Subverting its form, she rediscovers her body, reclaiming it after years of exile. Shedding the shackles, she exhales, "Old man, be gone!"

The Apology is a response to Eve Ensler's novella of the same name and was created with the support of the DSM Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant.

Director’s Note
The Apology unfolds within the rich tradition of the guru-shishya parampara. The language and structure of the play may seem distant from our everyday lives, yet they resonate deeply with the political and social consciousness of our reality.
What is a true apology? Are there steps to it? If a true apology is offered, how does one accept it? Is it necessary to forgive the person or the part of you that held yourself accountable for their actions? These questions became the seeds of this play for me during its creation.

Subverting mudras and shlokas from the Natyashastra came with both hesitation and excitement. My classical training, which grounds me, also liberated me to navigate and reinvent these traditional elements. On the rehearsal floor, we focused on developing a vocabulary that suited the world of the play while honouring age-old traditions.

Working with actors unfamiliar with classical art forms, training them in Bharatanatyam, introducing them to its rigorous discipline, and guiding them towards developing Angika, Vachika, Aharya and Sattvika Abhinaya has been a transformative experience for all of us. Witnessing them gain confidence, make the form their own, and approach the story with passion, respect and sincerity has touched my heart every single day of this journey. Their dedication and earnestness have been a source of inspiration, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to create this work together.

Cast and Crew
Writer, Director and Design: Meghna Roy Choudhury
Producer: Meghna Roy Choudhury
Performers: Priyanshu Gupta / Hrishabh Kanti, Princy Sudhakaran / Meghna Roy Choudhury
Vocals: Snigdha Pious
Percussion and Music Design: Ruturaj Bhosle
Percussion: Pranav Dandekar / Animesh Patthey
Light Design and Operation: Payal Kalra
Stage Manager: Ekansh Upadhyay
Dramaturg: Meghana A. T.
Mentor: Padma Damodaran