Sabrina Khan

Bayside High School, Grade 12

Rafta Rafta… is a very real and heartfelt work of art depicting traditional Indian lifestyles in present-day England. Ayub Khan-Din's play about a modern Indian couple deals with the problems that couples face after marriage, complete with the biased views of in-laws and society, and it chronicles their wedding night festivities and the two turbulent following weeks with enormous humor and thought-provoking drama.

The conflict involves familial conflicts between father and son, mother and daughter and, of course, bride and groom. At the center of the plot, the happy couple, Atul and Vina, are unable to consummate their relationship, and word of this spreads like wildfire. The toll this takes on their marriage, their families and the individuals that comprise them is what Rafta Rafta….--translated as "slowly slowly"--is all about.

On Atul and Vina's wedding night, both families are celebrating back at the groom's home; the men have drinks and dance the bhangra, while the women discuss all things taboo before marriage over coffee. Meanwhile Atul and his father have an argument eventually settled with an armwrestling match his father, Eeshwar, wins, humiliating his son before his new wife and in-laws. Eeshwar is later scolded by his wife, Lopa, for behaving this way on their son's wedding night of all occasions, knowing full well how hard he takes such things.

It can be understood that Atul and Eeshwar's estranged relationship, obviously a lifetime in the making, is the reason for his inability to prove his virility to his wife, whom he clearly loves. This, along with the fact the two are still living under his parents' roof, a reason for great discomfort, stresses Atul out immensely, but he can't seem to express himself to anyone, including Vina. Vina vents to her mother in this time of need, rather by force more than willingness, and then to her father. Soon enough their entire community knows about the problem, but not before Vina's parent's, Lata and Jai, talk to Atul's first. Several revelations are made, one of which regards the quote, "All love is under suspicion these days," which in this case refers to rumors about Atul's sexual orientation and about the seemingly odd closeness Vina and her father. This quote becomes the play's core theme--and a cloud over Vina and Atul's relationship, though it eventually clears and things work out in the end.

The play is a feel-good yet rational look at the average Indian family in new times coping with problems of old. It's a very satisfying and refreshing play. The entire cast gives knockout performances, but Saikna Jaffrey, in particular, was sensational as Lopa, Atul's mother. She has an amazing and rare take on the stereotypical mother-in-law, which she plays so well she's spellbinding.

I wondered at first whether non-Indians or non-South Asian audiences could enjoy or comprehend the storyline, since so many allusions are made to Indian pop culture. I had no reason to be apprehensive: The audience was very diverse but the reaction was a universal one of acclaim.

One aspect of the production worth noting is definitely the size of the theatre: very small, and perfect that way. Any angle one views Rafta Rafta… from is great, because the space is so intimate and close-knit. The actors appreciate it for the same reasons, as Sean T. Krishnan, who plays Jivaj Bhatt, himself told me outside the venue.

In short, the play is wonderful--intensely satirical and sensual at the same time (indeed, it's meant for mature audiences). It will make you think as well as surely please you.