Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions

 Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions

"Final Solution" by Mahesh Dattani is an interesting play to read. In my blog, I’ve shared a set of questions and answers from Prakruti Ma'am to check understanding. The answers reflect my thoughts and personal views on the play

Introduction:

"Final Solution" is a thought-provoking play by Mahesh Dattani, his fifth, written in response to the unrest in Mumbai. The play focuses on the conflict between Muslims and Hindus, showing how politicians use religion to manipulate people, who end up suffering as a result. Dattani explores the theme of communalism, highlighting the deep religious divisions in society and how they lead to discrimination and conflict.

About Mahesh Dattani:

Mahesh Dattani, born in 1958, is one of India’s most respected playwrights. His plays deal with difficult issues that society often ignores or avoids. Dattani has had a big impact on Indian-English drama, using his plays to challenge what society considers normal. He once said, "Drama isn’t just about showing what’s wrong in society; it’s like a distorted mirror, revealing the strange and uncomfortable truths behind what we think is normal. It might be ugly, but it can also be funny.”

Now discuss some questions.

How does Mahesh Dattani manipulate time and space within the dramatic framework of Final Solutions to create meaning? Explore the interplay of these elements with specific reference to the stagecraft techniques employed by the playwright.

From the beginning, Mahesh Dattani carefully designs the stage to show how the characters move and interact. He even suggests using a ramp for the chorus to represent the outside world and how people can be seen as both Hindu and Muslim. The main character, Hardika, looks back on her past by reading her diary, with Dattani skillfully blending the past and present.

When Hardika was young, she had a painful experience with a girl named Zarin and her family. Now, in the present, Hardika feels that this old pain is connected to the arrival of two Muslim boys. The death of her father is also tied to these bad memories, and whenever something in the present reminds her of the past, she quickly relives those moments. The boys’ arrival brings back the hurtful memories of Zarin’s family.

Hardika becomes angry and tells the boys to leave, fueled by the bad memories of how she was treated by her in-laws. Dattani shows these changes in time by placing Daksha (Hardika when she was young) in the background and Hardika in the foreground, highlighting the link between her past and present. Songs by Noor Jahan connect Daksha and Hardika, while Ramnik uses old papers to connect with the past. The ramp symbolizes the outside world, and the house acts like a small version of society, where open-minded characters like Smita, Ramnik, and Bobby clash with more prejudiced ones like Javed, Hardika, and Aruna.

Examine the complexity of guilt experienced by the characters in the play. How does this emotion shape their actions and relationships?

Guilt is a key theme in the play, with Ramnik as the main character who represents it. His actions—like giving Bobby and Javed shelter, offering Javed a job, and feeding them—are all driven by his deep guilt. Although Ramnik claims to be liberal, his actions suggest that his so-called liberalism comes more from guilt than true belief.

Hardika, at first, doesn’t realize her in-laws’ real intentions toward Zarin’s family. The guilt of her in-laws shows in their attempts to help. Similarly, Smita feels guilty about following traditional practices like puja, fasting, and rituals, mainly to keep her mother happy. This guilt becomes clear when she finally pushes back.

Hardika’s guilt deepens when Ramnik admits to being involved in burning down a Muslim family's shop and then buying it. Her question, "When will they come back?" and Ramnik’s reply, "If we call, they will," are filled with guilt. Javed’s actions, such as attacking the Hindu rath yatra and pujari, also come from guilt, which shows in his weaker moments. The conflict between Ramnik and Javed highlights this guilt.

Their arguments reveal each other’s weaknesses and show a bigger issue that many in India face. The country’s deep-rooted prejudices fuel communal hatred, making it a place where even small religious incidents can reveal the shallow nature of those who claim to be secular.

Reflect on your journey through Final Solutions as a student of theatre. How did the process of studying, rehearsing, and performing this play shape your understanding and appreciation of theatre?

Working on "Final Solutions" as part of the chorus was eye-opening. I learned how the play tackles deep issues like communalism and guilt, and how our role in the chorus highlighted these themes. 

Rehearsals showed me the importance of representing the crowd and how it affects the audience's understanding. Performing made me realize how every part of the play, including the chorus, contributes to its overall impact. This experience broadened my view of theatre as a powerful tool for exploring social issues.

Some snapshots of the Performance:

In conclusion, "Final Solutions" emphasizes the importance of addressing personal conflicts and overcoming ingrained prejudices to find true resolution. The play portrays the characters' battles with guilt, identity, and reconciliation. Its unresolved ending underscores the difficulty of achieving enduring harmony and understanding in a fragmented society.

Thank you...