Bengaluru Celebrates Mezok: A Multi-Narrative Play Debut
Bengaluru-based Linear Festivals and the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts (PCPA) are thrilled to celebrate their collaboration with the multi-narrative play "Mezok." This premiere marks not only the debut of "Mezok" in the city but also the inaugural show of LinearX PCPA performances.
About Mezok:
"Mezok" is a multi-narrative performance that delves into the complexities of human nature. Jyoti Dogra, the playwright and director, explains, "Mezok is a made-up name, of a made-up mountain, a mountain that sees you before you see it."
The Concept:
Jyoti, with 20 years of solo and original work, is writing, directing, and producing an ensemble piece for the first time. The idea began with explorations around a table, which she found fascinating. "It is three-dimensional, but when you look at it vertically, it transforms into something completely different as opposed to when one accesses it from underneath. The kind of spaces a table opens up, just in terms of our presence inside it, fascinated me, and I decided to work on this idea."
Development:
The concept evolved over two months at Nirdigantha, the art education center at Shettihalli. "We started with a table and no plans, but within the first 20 days, ideas began to emerge — of a mountain, offices, dining tables, and bureaucracy. Soon, the table stopped being a table — it became a bar, a home, a plough, a field, and more. Our material began to develop and I started to structure it; that is how the piece came about."
Performance Details:
"Mezok" has already completed 20 shows after opening in Bombay and has been staged in Bareilly, Hyderabad, and Delhi. It features actors from various regions, including Kannada, Hindi, Punjabi, Sirmauri, Garhwali, and Ladakhi, with English as the primary language.
The Table:
The table is not just an object but an actor, playing many roles in "Mezok." Jyoti emphasizes that language plays a crucial role in how actors’ bodies respond to the table and the spaces within it. "From the beginning, I urged actors to improvise in their mother tongue, even though the rest of us would not understand. Language played an important role in the way their bodies responded to the table and the spaces within it."
The Festival:
Linear Festivals, founded by Vishruti Bindal and Bharavi in September 2024, aims to "push boundaries and expand possibilities in the performing arts." "Mezok" is their first show in Bengaluru, and one of the more pragmatic aspects of the festival is that their events are held at venues along metro stations to make them accessible for all.
Upcoming Performance:
"Mezok" will be performed at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts on May 10, at 7 pm. Tickets are available on BookMyShow starting at ₹299.
Published: May 08, 2025, 09:47 pm IST
