Tara- the cacophonies of life

Tara is an interesting tale of the gender discrimination that still prevails in the Indian society. What is the reason behind India still being a male dominated society? or why a male is still considered as the decision maker in a family? The play throws light on this subject. Directed by Arvind Gaur, Tara is a well-told story brought on stage by seven strong characters- Tara, Chandan, Roopa, Dan, Patel , Dr. Thakkar and Bharti. It brings out the cacophonies of life which we face in our everyday lives.

Tara and Chandan are twins, conjoined from birth, but that didn’t pose to be a hurdle for either of the two. With advanced medical technology, they were separated successfully.  Life’s bitter experiences on the other hand were waiting for the two as they were cursed with handicapped legs. Bharti, mother of Chandan and Tara has an unconditional love for the two, quite opposite to Mr. Patel, her selfish husband who only wanted his son to join business.

Caught in between the complexities of life is Tara, who fails to understand why there is such a difference in love and affection towards her in the family or is it because she is a girl? On one side, is her mother, Bharti who considers her the apple of her eye, on the other side is her father who is least concerned about her daughter’s future.

Tara has a dysfunctional lung in her body which she was unaware of. Only Bharti was aware of her critical condition. On the other hand, Bharti is undergoing an emotional distress that has made her vulnerable to mental disturbance. Dan decides to admit ailing Bharti in the hospital after seeing her rapid deterioration in health and makes it sure that none of his children are allowed to visit her without his consent.

Amidst much tension, Tara gets operated at the hospital. She is kept aloof of her mother’s critical condition. An ever inquisitive Tara returns home searching her mother. Both her father and Chandan try to pacify her by cracking jokes, but she doesn’t succumb to them.  She seeks the help of her brother to meet her mother, but even he denies for any help.

Tara is shocked to know that even her own brother was not by her side, when she decided to visit her ailing mother in the hospital. Chandan, on the other hand was constantly fighting with his inner demons that stopped him to stand beside her beloved sister, Tara. He failed to understand what was it that was stopping him from standing by his sister. Chandan was in a state of delirium, he could realize there must be something that was stopping his father from meeting his mother.

Chandan grows up to be a writer. Till date, he hasn’t been successful. He is always haunted by his past. One day he decides to write a story taking Dr. Thakkar as the main protagonist. While interviewing Dr. Thakkar, he comes to know that in one of his operations, he had been unfair when he was bribed by Mr. Dan (who happens to be Chandan’s father) to afford the male child with a better leg. Hence, the girl child, Tara was denied of this privilege.

Knowing this ugly truth of life Chandan commits suicide as he was not successful either in becoming a writer or a child who could take care of his family.