Khoj – The Search
Prayas presents Khoj – The Search
“New Zealand has embraced me with wide arms – opened it’s doors, given me my home. Yet somehow I am still peeking through the key hole.”
Prayas Theatre Company is a not for profit organization formed by Indians who want to showcase fine contemporary Indian theatre in English for New Zealand audiences.
Their new work ‘Khoj, the Search’ has been inspired by Indian writer Rohinton Mistry, best known in New Zealand for his A Fine Balance. A migrant like many, (he moved to Canada) Mistry wrote short stories about the experience of moving. “For many of us Mistry’s experiences mirror our own” says Amit Ohdedar, the director of this humorous expose of migrant complexities.
It is the story of Jamshed – an Indian migrant trying to adopt to the new culture. He leaves behind a grumpy dad and a pining mother who live in the hope their son will make it big in New Zealand. Life in Auckland turns out to be another story altogether. Things get tough when his Indian toilet habit gets in the way of his New Zealand lifestyle. But the story is more than just that. The play boldly challenges both the migrant community as well as local New Zealanders regarding preconceived ideas about people and cultures. ‘Khoj, the Search’ raises some serious questions through humour.
The play will be staged at TAPAC with a cast of fine Indian performers incorporating theatre and dance.
‘Khoj – the Search’ spotlights the comic and dramatic spins of a new migrant in New Zealand touching on their own real life experiences. ‘Khoj – the Search’ will appeal to immigrants as well as a broad and diverse audience -the humour and depth will touch all who experience this contemporary and vital new play.
