The Guide mark two: Curtains go up today on the first stage production of R.K. Narayan's classic novel

R. K. Narayayans heart-rending love story, The Guide, found immortality in the Dev Anand- Waheeda Rehman film and made the expression 'Raju Guide' a part of popular parlance, but to date, no one has ever attempted to recreate its magic on stage.

Sanjoy Roy's Teamwork Films, better known as the event managers of the Jaipur Literature Festival, has decided to stage the story that we associate with the celluloid classic.

The story of the tumultuous life of the temple dancer Rosie, her love fiasco with tourist guide-turned-godman Raju, and her failed marriage with the chauvinistic archaeologist Marco, all in the fictional town of Malgudi, brilliantly narrated in Narayan's unembellished style, still holds a special place in our hearts.

Classic: The cast of The Guide prepare during rehearsal for the first play since the novel was published in 1954

Classic: The cast of The Guide prepare during rehearsal for the first play since the novel was published in 1954

Is it because of the agelessness of the plot that The Guide also lends itself to newer renditions? Teamwork Films has, in fact, gone back to the original - Narayan's novel - and scripted a two-hour play.

'The challenge was not to be inspired by the film, keeping in mind that the film was indeed iconic, but Narayan had issues with it,' says Roy, the play's director.

'The real test was to be able to find the different layers of the book,' Roy continues.

Film version: Don't expect to see a Dev Anand or a Waheeda in this production, watch without preconceived notions

Film version: Don't expect to see a Dev Anand or a Waheeda in this production, watch without preconceived notions

'How Narayan brought the devadasi dancer out of the temple and portrayed her as a successful Bharatnatyam dancer at a time when it was considered a taboo; how he puts into words the circumstances that give birth to a godman; and the public fast by the protagonist, which is relevant now in the light of the movements of Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev - all these elements had to be taken care of.'

The idea of the play originated around four years ago, when Ritu Saigal, its producer, approached Roy to pitch in. National School of Drama graduate Amitabh Srivastava wrote the script.

Pre-production: Dilip Shankar and theatre newbie Namita Gyanchandani prepare for their lead roles of Raju Guide and Rosie

Pre-production: Dilip Shankar and theatre newbie Namita Gyanchandani prepare for their lead roles of Raju Guide and Rosie

To pep it up, a couple of the film's immortal songs - Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai and Gaata rahe mera dil - have been included in it to play on people's nostalgia.

'The bhajans will be live, but the other tracks have been rearranged by Chennai-based pianist Anil Srinivasan,' says Roy.

Theatre artist Dilip Shankar plays Raju Guide. 'Very nervous and equally excited,' was how he reacted to his role. 'I have tried to bring my own style and I am really hoping it works,' Shankar says.

For Namita Gyanchandani, who plays the charming Rosie, it has been a Facebook Fairy Tale.

'This is my first foray into theatre. I hadn't really hoped to get selected when I replied to a notification on Facebook,' says the School of Planning & Architecture graduate.

'All I hope is to do justice to the expectations that have already been built up,' Namita says. Orron Das, who plays Rosie's irrational husband Marco, remarks, 'I am inspired by the kind of fun you can have by putting in your best to an activity you really enjoy without any artistic burden.'

Don't expect to see a Dev Anand or a Waheeda. Watch the play without any preconceived notions. If you are a Narayan fan, you may find more of the novel in the play than in the film.

The Guide will be staged at Kamani Auditorium from today to April 21.


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