Girish Karnad's "The Dreams of Tipu Sultan" is being revived for a 20 show run at Jagriti Theatre, Whitefield on May 4th, 2012, which coincidentally is the anniversary of the visionary leaders' death.  The interplay of Tipu's dreams, which he recorded in a secret diary, and history as it unfolded, reveals how a few choices by a few people motivated by various agendas turned the fortunes of a private limited company in its takeover of a nation.  The play stages dream and reality, in rich period detail, but the conversations ring familiar 200 years later -- brimming with idealism on the one hand and blatant betrayal and corruption on the other.

Mir Sadiq - a traitor

Poornaya - a cunning survivor and Prime Minister

Kirmani - historian, storyteller and conflicted propagandist

Ghulam Ali - a trusted family member

Kirmani and English historian, Mackenzie tell the story

An heir to the throne and the duplicitous Poornaya

Court intrigue, behind the smiles

News of doom reaches Tipu's wife, Rukayya

Betrayal

Behind the scenes - plotters

Kirmani and Mackenzie reminesce

Kirmani and Mackenzie

Kirmani and Mackenzie debate the story

Arundathi Raja directs a rehersal. 

Backstage - some cast members get into character, and wait for their scenes.

Babu's Footwear is a hole in the wall off Miller's Road.  I was there to get custom fitted for riding boots - to be worn on stage by Charles Mallet & Richard Wellesly in Jagriti's production of "The Dreams of Tipu Sultan".  In these pictures, Babu, the hole and my foot!

I'm playing Mallet in Jagriti's production of Girish Karnad's "The Dreams of Tipu Sultan".  It's quite a play,  an eyeopener to the man himself.   Last week the cast was fitted for costumes, and everyone had a chance to be and see themselves in character.  I'm not sure I like my britches, but its what I have to wear.  Some pictures from 'fittings' at Jagriti: