A play produced by Shabd Theatre Group, Sifar is a Hindi play written and directed by Sachin Malvi, which is based on the Syrian war. It recently made its debut at NCPA theatre on 1st December 2024.
The play takes place in Damascus (the capital of Syria) and depicts all these characters adapting to chaos and demonstrating resilience. Taking place in Damascus adds a layer of authenticity to the story as this city has witnessed immense destruction.
The play portrays the struggles of different individuals who are trying to rebuild their lives amidst the ongoing devastation. Named after an Arabic word that means zero or nothingness, the title symbolises the hollow emptiness left after the war while also representing hope for new beginnings.
Many overlapping stories of different people’s lives blend poetic scenes and theoretical storytelling. The play showcases the indomitable human spirit and emphasises dreams, love, and the need to be united at times of hardship.
Some stories include a teacher who educates the dead, a violinist who struggles to create music after trauma and a boy who yearns for a bright future. There is also a refugee girl who works in a café (Namrata Ghaturle). Namrata who comically portrays the role of a refugee – disguised as Ahmed (but is Aamra) to stay safe from the Syrian army, plays a central role in this play.
Besides this, the play stars compelling performances by Sairaj Zajam, Raunak M Chandak and others.
All the characters are dealing with their losses while also dealing with collective trauma. The play is symbolic of humanity amidst chaos. There is a lot of emotional complexity portrayed as well.
The love angle between Ahmed and Khaled is most appealing to me. It offers a sense of tenderness, a glimpse of hope and connection amidst the surrounding chaos. I loved the use of live music during the performance, as it enhanced the whole emotional and thematic depth of the play. It is core to the play and gives an immersive experience to it.
