Set in the backdrop of classical Indian dance, Mahesh Dattani’s stage play in two acts (also a book), “Dance Like A Man”, unravels the complexities within a family as they grapple with tradition, ambition, and personal desires.

His masterful storytelling delves deep into the human psyche, gently unfolding layers of emotions and conflicts that resonate long after the final page of the book is flipped

The interplay between the central characters and aging Bharatnatyam dancers, Ratna and Jairaj, is riveting and offers profound insights into the intricacies of love, sacrifice, and identity.

Their daughter Lata wants to marry Viswas and for her parents to meet him and give their blessing. Meanwhile, all Ratna and Jairaj care about is finding the perfect mridangam (percussion instrument) player to accompany her on stage, so she can reach the heights they couldn’t.

Through vivid characters like the ones mentioned above and compelling dialogue, Dattani raises pertinent questions about gender roles, artistic expression, and the price of pursuing one's dreams in a society bound by conventions.

In my opinion, what makes "Dance Like A Man" timeless is its relevance in contemporary society. Although it deals with a character’s (Jairaj) conflict from the 1940s, I felt it ring true for me in June 2023.

I ended up listening to my partner read out the play to me as I lay on a hospital bed, recovering after top surgery. I am so glad that I heard it when I most needed it. It gave me a lot of food for thought about the stereotypical garb in which masculinity is most often sold to us.

Despite being set in a specific historical and cultural context, the play’s themes of familial pressure, societal norms, and the quest for individuality are universal and enduring.

These very themes find echoes in Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar's (KJo) blockbuster “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, where characters (played by Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury) navigate similar conflicts amidst the glitz and glamour of an otherwise KJo-esque film.

Both the men in the film have an affinity for dancing and therein lies the biggest catch —they live in a society that ridicules them for the very thing they love.

Coming back to Dattani’s play, his work reflects the complexities of human relationships and the eternal struggle to find authenticity in a world fraught with expectations. My opinion might be a biased one, but I highly recommend that you read it.

Text by Prithvi Vatsalya. Image taken from amazon.in