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By Sravasti Datta

Java, a Kannada play written and directed by theatre personality Surendranath S , revolves around the love story of an elderly couple who try to postpone their inevitable separation. However, Death, who narrates their story, makes an exception for them as he is captivated by their love story.

Surendranath says the idea for the play was always in his mind. “After writing the script, I decided to perform it as a solo act, as this is more of a storytelling performance than a one-person play. Of course, the storyteller here is Death. Once I started writing i,t I didn't feel that it needed one more character. Had I felt the necessity of another character, I would have added it, ” says Surendranath.

He adds that he had no idea that he would act. “It was just an indulgence... I thought, why not act after 11 years? That's how I ended up on stage. Also, it becomes easy. I don't have to explain what is needed. Of course, you need a good supporting team behind you.”

The timeline of the play moves between the past and present. “The woman knows she is dying. She knows a secret about her husband, whose story is told from the time when he was a child till now, as an 86-year-old man,” says Surendranth.

Without giving away too much about the plot, Surendranath says Java (death in Kannada) engages with the audience too, telling them that he is always there. “He has stood next to them many times, and they aren't even aware of it.” But the play does not look at death as something to fear. “It can be beautiful as well, and this is what the hour-long play highlights.”

(Java will be staged on August 22 at 7.30 pm at Ranga Shankara )