Beyond Bollywood and Broadway
Plays from the South Asian Diaspora

Neilesh Bose (Edited by)

9780253220684

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2009

520 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 2.8 cm, 0.748 kg

"By any estimation, 'Beyond Bollywood and Broadway' is an amazing start to a discussion of South Asian diaspora theatre . . . . This is a book that should be read by anyone interested in postcolonial migration, diaspora communitites and arts, or theatrical traditions in any of these countries.2009"—Kristen Rudisill, Bowling green State University
"The collection is well-structured, with a broad historical overview of the South Asian Diaspora and of its theatre, followed by four distinct sections, each dealing with a selected locale and selected playwrights, with a representative play for each. Bose does not succumb to the temptation of covering too much ground cursorily. The strength of the book is its judicious balance between breadth and depth. 11/16/2010"—www.literarytourism.co.za
". . . fills a conspicuous gap in the literature of the South Asian diaspora. July 1, 2009"—Khabar
"An important contribution to the field of South Asian diasporic studies . . . it has significant potential to invigorate both an academic audience and a general audience of theatre enthusiasts interested in South Asian diasporic drama."—Rajini Srikanth, co-editor, Contours of the Heart: South Asians Map North America

This collection of 11 plays, from North America, the U.K., and South Africa—many published here for the first time—delves into the vibrant, cosmopolitan theatre of the South Asian diaspora. These original and provocative works explore the experience of diaspora by drawing on cultural references as diverse as classical Indian texts, adaptations of Shakespeare and Homer, current events, and world music, film, and dance. Neilesh Bose provides historical background on South Asian migration and performance traditions in each region, along with critical introductions and biographical background on each playwright.
Includes works by Anuvab Pal, Aasif Mandvi, Shishir Kurup, Rahul Varma, Rana Bose, Rukhsana Ahmad, Jatinder Verma, Sudha Bhuchar and Kristine Landon-Smith, Ronnie Govender, Kessie Govender, and Kriben Pillay.

Acknowledgments
An Introduction to South Asian Diasporic Theatre Neilesh Bose
Part I. The United States
1. Chaos Theory Anuvab Pal
2. Sakina's Restaurant Aasif Mandvi
3. Merchant on Venice Shishir Kurup
Part II. Canada
4. Bhopal Rahul Varma
5. The Death of Abbie Hoffman Rana Bose
Part III. United Kingdom
6. Song for a Sanctuary Rukhsana Ahmad
7. 2001: A Ramayana Odyssey Jatinder Verma
8. Strictly Dandia Sudha Bhuchar and Kristine Landon-Smith
Part IV. South Africa
9. The Lahnee's Pleasure Ronnie Govender
10. Working Class Hero Kessie Govender
11. Looking for Muruga Kriben Pillay
List of Plays
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index