By Puloma Mukherjee

Ann Marie Cummings’ India Awaiting is a very moving play - fragrant, subtle and mature in its expression, superb in its execution. Interestingly, it isn’t about India or Indian culture. It is about how his childhood ingrained in his culture lingers on in an oblivious young man’s memories, and slowly, quietly, unobtrusively evolves into a conflict: with himself, his love, his roots and his life in America.

The protagonist of the play, Nikhil Prasad (Maulik Pancholy) is a successful Wall Street trader, who grew up in New Delhi till he was fifteen and went to boarding school in London. Dressed in prototype Wall Street garb, Nikhil breathes millions of dollars in and out everyday and lives the life he treasured in a postcard of the Chrysler building as a child. Convinced of his seamless blend in to the American way of life, he knows he wants nothing more from his life until, he meets Janette (Margot White). Born to a Spanish mother and British father, Stunning, blue eyed Janette is an aspiring photographer and, in spite of her mixed lineage, very American.

What begins as a casual relationship following all New York City dating conventions quickly grows into a very strong bond. Nikhil becomes the object of Janette’s affections and photographs. Janette’s disapproval of Nikhil’s sister’s arranged marriage becomes evident to him in one of their conversations; she is appalled by the way he justifies his sister’s arranged marriage. The independent and unconventionally Indian Nikhil suddenly appears fiercely traditional to her. Sensing her discomfort, Nikhil assures her that he agrees with the traditional outlook from a purely individualistic standpoint and that in his own life he will do as he pleases. Little do our much-in-love couple know that the arranged marriage idea would come back to haunt them sooner than they think. Nikhil decides to marry pretty Janette and proposes to her.

Nikhil and Janette excitedly break the news to both sides of the family, while Janette’s parents (very British Robert Ian Mackenzie and bull-fighting, patrician, hot Patricia Mauceri) grudgingly give in to the daughter’s happiness; Nikhil’s mother (dignified looking Naheed Khan) is extremely resentful of the relationship. She has her own plans for her only son’s life and does not welcome the idea of him marrying an American girl. Regardless of this situation and his mother’s repeated warnings, threats and pleas, Nikhil and Janette choose to continue with their plans.

But as his life with Janette looms closer, Nikhil is flooded with memories of his past and his life in India - in the beats of his tabla, in the memories of Virendra, in the colors of Holi, in his discomfort at the thought of his bride dressed in pale, widowed white instead of a festive red for their wedding.

The play boasts of a very tasteful directorial style and elegant sets with suspended frames representative of a much deeper human sentiment, all of which supplement the essence of the play beautifully. Exceptional performances by Maulik Pancholy and Margot White and an impressive script with abundant nuances that demonstrate Ann Marie’s insightful research, sensitivity and maturity as a playwright are subtle but effective features as well.

“ You want to think that you can be idealistic in love, that color or race need not feature in your affections for someone, but your roots…they come back to haunt you, regardless”, says Ann Marie. Born to a Spanish mother and American father, Ann Marie who says she identifies with Nikhil the most was raised in the south and as a child, always had trouble understanding the hoopla around an inter-racial marriage.

I loved the story because it resonates with all who have left their roots behind, not just Indians. Contrary to the word around and inspite of the play’s rather trite theme, it isn’t all about an Indian and American falling in love and consequently into a trap of Indian traditions. The theme is only chosen to demonstrate severely contrasting cultures, and the consequent decisions and feelings embedded in them.

India Awaiting was playing at the Samuel Beckett Theater at Theater Row – just a few steps away from Broadway, really.