Jayan Varghese: Towards the Light

To western eyes, this play may seem simplistic and unsophisticated,yet its intentions, like those of the dramatist, Bertolt Brecht, and others,often anonymous works of protest performance theater deemedsubversive, is to awaken and stimulate audiences to awareness andaction – where personifications of villainous, authoritative figuresare portrayed, and where viewers might recognize themselves incharacters striving toward freedom – from darkness to light. It maybe interpreted that Varghese embraces Christianity and its offeringof a way to light through belief and faith in the teachings of Christ,a recognition and acceptance that His authority reigns supreme overthe false dictates of earthly tyrants. It is His followers who will finda release from fear and abuse through an understanding and practiceof His truths. Likewise, the “Miracle”, or morality plays in medievalEurope, a form of street theatre, exposed the populace to allegoricalstories that taught a moral message underpinned by Christianteachings. The characters represented abstract qualities of goodnessand evil, virtue and vice, which engaged in a battle to win the soulof the ‘mankind’ figure. This spirit continues, as embodied in JayanVarghese’s play, “Towards the Light”. Publisher : QCC Art Gallery Press; 1st Edition (2024) Language : English, Malayalam  Softcover :  113 Pages ISBN         : 978-0979938207