Mother-daughter duo Ila Arun and Ishita Arun performed a one-of-its kind theatre piece in the city last weekend. Titled Mareechika (meaning mirage in Marwadi), it is an adaptation of the famous play The Lady From The Sea by playwright Henrik Ibsen. The piece was first staged at the Delhi Ibsen festival last year. “Mom was approached by the Dramatic Art and Design Academy to do a Rajasthani version. That’s when she decided to direct it,” says Ishita.
“It’s the first time mom and I share stage space together,” she says. It was a beautiful experience for both as they brought to life to a saga of complicated relationships, set against a backdrop of mysterious tales. While Ila plays the female narrator, Ishita is the protagonist — a typical Rajasthani woman.
“Though born in Jaipur, I am not very comfortable speaking in Marwadi, as I have been brought up in Mumbai,” she says. “However, I really feel that Marwadi is the sweetest language I have known, after Bengali,” she’s quick to add.
Mareechika revolves around six cities in Rajasthan portraying the vibrant culture of the place that is created on stage through live music, colourful montages and traditional Rajasthani costumes. Ishita asserts that she went through strenuous training for the
language to get into the skin of the character.
Ask her what she is more comfortable with — music or theatre — and Ishita is prompt to reply, “Theatre, of course. I have grown up watching mom do theatre and music and have managed to imbibe both.” Clearly elated by Mareechika, Ishita feels that working with her mom was lovely. “At times, it felt like a role reversal...watching her rehearse with such devotion. I feel like telling her, ‘Mom I’m so proud of you’. When on stage, she seems 10 years younger than me and is 20 times more energetic,” smiles Ishita.
