MORPHOSIS: A Tutorial on Method Acting?

Brochure from the Bharat Rang Mahotsav

Morphosis, directed by Bapi Bose, is a play on method acting as an approach to find truth. In it is the process of “tireless preparation for the character, journey of commitment, strict discipline, dedication, sacrifice, love and self-analysis…. and finally a ‘Morphosis’”.

The play starts off rather strong as it grabs the audience into the flow of the storyline. Manas, which means the mind or the sixth sense, is played by Sahil Singh Sethi. Sethi does a fabulous job portraying the character. Prasad is a young and arrogant actor with an over the top personality who neither respects his craft, nor his audience. However, under Guruji’s wing, we see Prasad’s vulnerable side and the audience slowly but surely feels the transition from Prasad to Manas. There are a few scenes that depict the balance between Prasad’s flamboyancy, naiveness, and humility such as when he educates Guruji on the various warm-up processes or when he consumes alcohol with Guruji.

Guruji’s character, played by Suman Vaidya, made an exemplary performance. The character displayed depth of knowledge, wisdom, and truth all the while maintaining his playfulness and charm with the kids who touch his feet and call him Guruji. The performance felt real. My favorite scene has to be when Guruji catches Prasad with another girl who is not Disha; and he scolds her in the same way that he scolds Prasad. This not only displays the truth in Guruji’s process, it also shows his lack of partiality or forgiveness when it comes to the norms of gender roles and gender differences, despite the obvious generational gap.

Image: https://20brm.nsd.gov.in/morphosis/

Touching the feet of our elders is a sacred process followed in our country. It allows us to not only take the blessings of elders but also to forgo our verbal rights under conflict. We, at that moment, accept that whatever it may be that the elder says, is probably going to be for our own good. This concept in the play has a heavy impact on us as the audience. While we understand Guruji’s process through the smaller morals that he teaches Prasad, we also begin to pity the situation that Prasad has gotten himself into. His transformation puts him under a great deal of suffering, probably valid for the character of Manas, but at the same time Guruji’s ruthlessness is unveiled. Prasad is indeed the offering made to God known as Guruji.

The second half of the play is rather slow and repetitive. The lessons that Guruji is trying to teach Prasad start losing their intensity and that added element of humor which the first half showcased. The power of falling in love could not come across to the audience, hence the repercussions of Jasmine leaving were also bland. It felt as though Bose began to lose his hold on the play. I would personally say that the play could have been stronger if the last couple of scenes were eliminated. Ending in the scene where Prasad’s desperation and vulnerability was the highest (right after Prasad’s friend and well-wisher leaves), could have portrayed the idea that the transformation is an ongoing process, constantly evolving with our perception and experiences of the world. Manas would then become a question posed to each audience member watching the play. The question of ‘Am I searching for the truth?’ and ‘Am I on the right path for discovery?’

The sets, lighting, makeup and costume were kept to a minimum, acting out as both a positive and a negative artistic choice. While the audience was left to focus on the brilliant acting of the two leads, a little more thought in these aspects would have gone a long way in the telling of this wonderful story. A majority of the video projection animations were outstanding. They kept the audience engaged and set a brilliant tone for the next scene. However, the second projection of the story of Manas gives away a lot of the play. Minimizing the source of inspiration could have been a smart choice, especially since it would guide the next two hours of the play.

On the whole, the play was engaging and displayed a newer twist to the concept of discovery. I would rate it a 3/5.

Cast and Crew of Morphosis

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