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‘Santi and Naz’: Partition drama asks many questions still relevant today…

‘Santi and Naz’: Partition drama asks many questions still relevant today…

In today’s world of bruising identity politics, have the rules of friendship changed? Can we still be close to someone whose sense of identity and politics veers (markedly) from our own or do the binds of shared and formative experiences trump all that?

HAVE you ever fallen out with a friend? Was it about politics?

This play, ‘Santi and Naz’ explores what happens when two young women fall out, (perhaps stumble, might be more on point, but it’s open to interpretation we feel), over what’s happening when the land mass of India is partitioned into two countries with the creation of a new country, Pakistan, as a homeland, mostly – but not exclusively – for Muslims.

Santi is of a Sikh background and her best friend Naz is born to a Muslim family.

At the very beginning, you are hardly conscious that the two girls – young women – are of different faiths.

Santi (Aiyana Bartlett) and Naz (Farah Ashraf) ©PaulBlakemore

Santi (Aiyana Bartlett) is arty and writes poetry; Naz (Farah Ashraf) is sparky, confident and the more assertive of the two.

You can see they get on and share interests and again, you’re hardly conscious of their religious heritages and what might be brewing.

They bond as they chat and discover that they are attracted to the same guy – Rahul.

These are two late teenagers feeling desire for the first time and exploring its emotions.

Writers Guleraana Mir and afshan d’souza-lodhi show much tender insight and this section shows the women growing to like each other more and more, and begin to appreciate that there might be something beyond just a strong friendship here – but as is the way, these feelings are barely articulated, let alone, actively acknowledged – we have to wait for another development for the play to move to a more decisive phase in their relationship.

This is a two-hander and we never see Rahul – but it becomes clear he is not just the cute (Hindu) boy next door, as it were.

He is an out and out nationalist and one who espouses that Muslims need to go to Pakistan – India is for Hindus and Sikhs – and others – now in contemporary Indian nationalist circles referred to – as being part of Sanatan Dharma (essentially, non-Abrahamic faiths).

Immediately, Naz is repelled by Rahul and his brand of identity politics – but Santi does not share the same revulsion.

She is innocent and can’t get past her simple attraction.

Almost suddenly, we are plunged into a quite different world – the tenor and tone of the play change from playful, funny, gentle – to something more bruising and affecting.

There is violence around them – battle lines are being drawn.

Santi (Bartlett) and Naz (Ashraf) ©PaulBlakemore

When there is a marriage proposal for Naz, she isn’t sold on it, but her prospective husband is rich and has a thriving business.

He is based in what will become Pakistan. Naz suggests that Santi can come and live with them, as though nothing or very little, should change between them – they can maintain their friendship by living in the same married household.

Santi doesn’t like the idea – and begins to feel some distance from Naz because of it.

Now, more aware of her different religious heritage, she can only see a future for herself in what will be India.

The young actors use their own voices and the poetry is modern, not of its time – for some, this may grate but on a personal level, it isn’t something of huge importance – the play’s important themes remain undiluted.

Partition remains a difficult and sensitive subject for many, especially those whose families were powerfully affected by it.

Santi and Naz’ is an adroit, intelligent and entertaining drama that gets us to see what it could do to two people who are, in effect, falling in love – whether anything becomes of it – you will have to watch the play to discover.

It asks many questions and like all good plays does not seek to give you straight answers; only to ponder how life and sometimes the politics above it all can ‘interfere’ with romance, if we can put it like that.

Directed by Madeline Moore, the performances are solid, if a a tad showy at times – and the simple sets – from their houses to exteriors work effectively – and this is a play that has much relevance, despite its historical setting. (Sailesh Ram)

ACV rating: **** (out of five)

Listing
Santi & Naz (Final week) until Saturday, February 8 – Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St London W1D 3NE
More info/tickets:https://sohotheatre.com/events/santi-and-naz/

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Written by Asian Culture Vulture