“We are here but not at home”

“New Zealand has embraced us with open arms, given us our home. But it is a pity that that we still feel we are outsiders.”

The above is a dialogue from the comedy-drama, Khoj, The Search, reflecting one aspect of the migrant dilemma.

Khoj, to be staged at the Auckland Performing Arts Centre in Western Springs from August 27 to 30, is the latest offering from the Prayas Theatre Group.

It is about Jamshed, a young Parsi boy who leaves India for New Zealand in the mid 1990s, leaving behind a grumpy father and a pining mother who live in the hope that their son would make it big in the new land.

Life in Auckland turns out to be different and Jamshed is haunted by the promise that he made to his mother.

Prayas president and director of the play Amit Ohdedar was inspired by the best-selling author Rohinton Mistry’s collection of short stories, Tales from Firozsha Baag.

Khoj is tribute to Mistry as well as an insight into the Parsi culture.

Parsis migrated to India from Iran more than 700 years ago and probably underwent the same challenges that some of us encounter today in New Zealand.

Auckland has a large and active Parsi community.

Kolkata-born Amit says the play was developed through rehearsals.

“We found a nuance here, an expression there and improvised every time we came together for rehearsals,” he said.

The play boldly challenges those who consider themselves ‘migrants’ even after a long stay and other New Zealanders regarding preconceived ideas about people and cultures.

“Khoj raises some serious questions through humour. Jamshed’s ‘toilet issues’ are used as a metaphor for adapting to the adjustment issues in a new country,” Amit said. 

The cast is a mixed team of professional and new members.

Prayas is adding a unique dance sequence that runs parallel to the play.  

With Khoj, the Group has begun the search to explore another style of drama, different from the folk play, Charandas Chor, ‘The ‘Honest Thief’ or the modern contemporary drama, The Terrace that explored forbidden relationships (Indian Newslink, November 1, 2005 and October 15, 2007). 

Khoj promises to give every migrant a touch of his or her own real life experience through a series of comic and dramatic roll out of scenes.

Sudeepta Vyas is the spokesperson for Prayas.