Those who’ve already seen — or rather, become a part of — Rimini Protokoll‘s “Call Cutta in a Box: An Intercontinental Phone Play” probably know that at the end of the piece there’s an offer to stay in touch. At least one audience member accepted the offer, and has struck up a correspondence with one of the performers (see Rimini Protokoll’s website for photos from a special event with some of the performers). The two graciously agreed to share an excerpt from a dispatch from Calcutta:
Sorry I am a little late in replying to your mail from New York. My daughter had her school cultural event which is quite a big one that happens every four years and we were a bit tied up with the preparations. It went off well and now she is trying to get back to her study schedule.
Have you started reading NAMESAKE? There is a film in Hindi which has been made based on the novel. Maybe after reading the book you might like to see it.
Urvashi will be writing to you soon.
Shows in Minneapolis are simply rocking. Almost all the shows are booked and we all are enjoying ourselves performing for the audience there.
The team has performed together for over two years now and are able to get back to the rhythm very well though we started shows this time after a break of almost 9 months. Actually this theatre is a show after our hearts and all of us just enjoy doing the shows whenever we get a chance to do them. We are hoping that the shows go on all over the world in the years to come. It is an amazing way of being connected to the world and you feel a true global citizen.
Today is a festival here in Calcutta and whole of Bengal. Saraswati Puja – the day of the Goddess of learning – Saraswati. It is also a festival to celebrate the coming of spring so the predominant colour that we wear today is yellow and also white (white is the colour of Saraswati as a symbol of purity). It looks very bright and beautiful to see people of all ages going around in yellow and white.
I have to go home now to make arrangements for the puja at home. I will write to you again soon. Waiting to hear from you too.
Tickets are still available for “Call Cutta,” which continues through January 31; call the Walker Box Office for your reservation: 612.375.7600.
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