Sapana Anek Anek: One for the Artists

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Based on Gita Khatri's "Aama Hun Aama", " Sapana Anek Anek" depicts the story of love and loss centred around a father's search for dreams and happiness for the family in a foreign land crushed by the terror of the fateful day of 9/11. The story is set in Nepal and New York.

A visual fest for artists and painters, the light work is phenomenal in Sapana Anek Anek. The white canvas—the only prop used and with some versatility by Ashesh Malla (director), the pioneer of frugal theatre in Nepal— is painted with light and beautiful hand motion of the artists and gives the sensation of watching a painting in motion. However, the play could have done with a bit more props which would have provided a point of reference and material cues to aid the audience to follow the play's narrative which would have made it livelier.

 
Similarly, the sound could have been better in the show I attended which lacked the necessary ups and downs and at various moments, the BGM overshadowed the actors' performances. However, music lovers will be able to enjoy Satya Raj Acharya and Banika Pradhan a lot more than I who knows nada about the ABCs of music. 
With a fusion of various dance forms, music and light magic, "Sapana Anek Anek" is a treat for those with an artistic inclination. However, it doesn't mean it will go over the heads of a regular audience. Children, in particular, with their wild imaginative powers will have a lot of fun watching the musical. 

Despite my scepticism about the play's lack of dialogue, "Sapana Anek Anek", a musical with sparse dialogues not only held my attention but 50 minutes seemed to pass without notice. The play could have been better, but it is worth a watch, nonetheless.

[P.S. I'm part of the marketing team for the play and had withheld commenting on the quality of the play without having watched it as presented to the audience. I had only watched the rehearsals. So, here's my answer to everyone who had asked for my opinion of the play.]



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