Rehearsed reading as a performance was introduced to us, when Being Association, initiated by Rasika Agashe, first asked us to read stories in her performance space in Bombay.

We then, shuffled through many writers, and finally thought off, why not reading Vijaydan Detha. I have always found Detha's stories, mirroring society. He had very carefully build his stories, based on our rituals, blind-faiths and believes. His short stories reflected the lives, dialect, problems and materialism of the people. He made the Rajasthani folklore the base of his storytelling. Inscribing somewhere in 1950's, Detha's female characters spurt out confidence and power. Going through his "Baaton ki phulwari" and his collection of other stories, I felt, much had been expressed in the time, when the post-independent society was just flourishing. But it is such a pity, and still a question,that has the society from where he begun got a notch higher?

Mani Kaul, once said that, Bijji is a hidden treasure, let him stay in village, else he would be exploited. But it's a high time now, that his stories should come out, and cater to the society.

The stories

1. Kenchuli 

“Kenchuli” has been metaphorically used for confinement, be it any. Lachhi gets married to Gujar, and is persistently wooed by Thakur and the middle man Bhoja. Much to Lachhi's frustration, Gujar remains unaware of Bhoja's trying on her. Although Lachhi keeps trying to make Gujar see the lecherous action of Bhoja, things worsen when she tries to make her husband understand her agony.

2.Mooji Soorma

"Mooji soorma" is an epitome of being scrooge. It is a tale of a business(Sethji) man who escapes his funeral pyre by impressing goddess laxmi through his miserliness. Goddess Laxmi in the form of Panda (Pandit) keeps testing the Seth. However, Sethji adheres to his principles, pleasing the Goddess immensely.

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