Press Release

Contact: Agastya Kohli
Phone : 206-465-4590
Email : agastyak@gmail.com

For immediate release:

Ek Tha Gadha Urf Aladad Khan – A Play in Hindi Opens May 1st, 2009

Performance Information:
http://www.pratidhwani.org/gadha
May 1st, 2009 - 8:00pm
May 2nd, 2009 - 8:00pm
May 3rd, 2009 - 2:00pm
May 8th, 2009 - 8:00pm
May 9th, 2009 - 8:00pm
May 10th, 2009 - 2:00pm

All performances will be at:
Ethnic Cultural Theatre, UW
3940 Brooklyn Ave NE
(Corner of 40th and Brooklyn)
Seattle, WA

Admission:
General: $12 at the door, $10 in advance
Pratidhwani Members: $10 at the door, $8 in advance
UW Students: $5 at the door, $3 in advance

Pratidhwani - a Seattle area based non-profit organization of South Asian performing artists continues its exploration of modern Hindi plays with the production of well known Hindi playwright Sharad Joshi’s Ek Tha Gadha Urf Aladad Khan (Once There was an Ass Alias Aladad Khan). It is a satirical play, staged numerous times in various places during the last couple of decades. This is its first production in the Pacific Northwest and is directed by Seattle local Agastya Kohli, who continues as the lead for Pratidhwani's Drama wing, to direct his 6th Hindi play in Seattle area.

Ek Tha Gadha Urf Aladad Khan is yet another opportunity for Hindi speakers to experience quality modern Hindi theatre right here in Seattle. Those who have experienced the series of Hindi plays produced by Pratidhwani in last few years in the Seattle area are likely to find ‘Gadha' to be yet another gem. The death of a donkey triggers a series of events that domino towards a most unpredictable conclusion. Agastya Kohli, the director of the play says, "This is one of the funnier scripts I have read, and we are really excited about bringing this comedy to Seattle's Hindi theatre audience. However, this play is packed full of extremely thought provoking content” said Kohli. “The problem with 'thought provoking' content is that it sometimes ends up being very preachy and sermon like. Not this play. 'Ek Tha Gadha' will simply entertain its audiences - make them laugh until their bellies hurt - and perhaps later, they might just find themselves thinking about more serious matters” he added. For those who have somehow not been able to attend a Pratidhwani Drama Wing production so far, here is your chance. Pratidhwani's superior script selection and high production quality make these plays a unique experience - one that is not to be missed.

Sharad Joshi – Playwright
Sharad Joshi is a playwright and satirist very popular amongst those who read Hindi literature. He became a household name after the success of his dialogues for comedy TV serials of the 80s like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, and Vikram Aur Betal. He has also written dialogs for numerous Hindi films including Utsav (1984) and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991). Sharad Joshi was born on May 21, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh to Sriniwas and Santi Joshi, a second child in the family of two sons, and four daughters.

Agastya Kohli – Director
Agastya Kohli has worked both back stage, as well as acted on stage with ReAct Theatre, Theatre Schmeater, SIS Productions, Pork Filled Players, Live Girls Theater, ECT and others. He was last seen on stage in Love Person at Live Girls! Theater and in Ghostlight Theatricals' Battle of the Bards. A Telecom Engineer by day, Agastya teaches Hindi at Gurukul (www.gurukul-wa.org) - a local Indian language school - on Sundays. He has been the lead of Pratidhwani's drama wing since 2005. During this time the Drama Wing has produced many shows in Hindi, English and Bangla, which have been performed in Seattle and Vancouver BC. Ek Tha Gadha Urf Aladad Khan is the second Pratidhwani Drama Wing presentation of 2009.

Pratidhwani
Pratidhwani is a non-profit cultural organization based in the Seattle area. Weare, at our core, a group of professionals of Indian heritage, who are extremely enthusiastic and passionate about the artistic traditions of our homeland. The main objective of the organization is the promotion and cultivation of the performing arts of the Indian subcontinent. Recognizing that the performing arts of India encompass a vast and varied number of styles, genres and traditions, different wings of the organization provide a platform for as many art forms as we can.