New Theatre Production Celebrates Queer Love in 1970s Mumbai

A new theatre production titled Jhumkewali is set to celebrate queer love through a nostalgic lens, showcasing the vibrant culture of the 1970s. The debut production by the city-based collective HausOfBhaus will take place at AntiSOCIAL in Lower Parel on October 7 at 20:30. The creative team comprises writer Ami Bhansali and theatre practitioners Nidhi Krishna and Mekhala Singhal.

The play follows the lives of two college girls, Rekha and Bindu, portrayed by Harshini Misra and Lauren Robinson. Their romance begins in the corridors of Sophia College for Women when Bindu discovers Rekha’s missing jhumka, leading to a budding relationship fueled by shared experiences over chai, local train rides, and disco nights.

The inspiration for Jhumkewali originated from a short story written by Bhansali for the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program, where the team first connected. The narrative emerged from a simple yet profound question: when did people start selling jhumkas on trains? The creators concluded that the first vendor must have been a woman in love, prompting them to develop a retro romance set in Mumbai during the 1970s.

Exploring Queerness Through Historical Context

Krishna emphasizes that the play seeks to remind audiences that queerness is not a contemporary phenomenon but has always existed. She notes that mainstream portrayals of queer lives often focus on struggle and adversity. “While it was difficult and painful to be queer until very recently, there had to have been queer people who were happy and who fell in love,” she explains.

The backdrop of the 1970s, marked by political unrest and economic uncertainty, resonates with contemporary societal challenges. Singhal points out the parallels between the marginalization experienced during that era and today’s global movement towards conservatism. “While we may think so much has changed, not everything has gotten better,” she states. The production aims to encourage audiences to reflect on how queer individuals navigated their identities and relationships during tumultuous times.

A Nostalgic Experience

The creative team has meticulously crafted the production’s aesthetic to evoke the 1970s. Singhal notes, “Our poster is designed like a matchbox with colors that are reflective of the time.” The set features vintage wood and rattan designs, while costumes incorporate polka dots and a warm color palette of browns, yellows, pinks, and reds, typical of the decade.

The response during auditions has been promising, with numerous queer actors eager to portray relatable and authentic queer roles. “We were so excited that there were so many queer actors in the city who were interested in playing queer roles like these,” the team recalls.

Looking ahead, Krishna shares that there are plans to tour Jhumkewali, aiming to bring more light-hearted narratives that celebrate queerness and love in impactful ways. The production stands as a testament to the joy and resilience found within queer communities, encouraging audiences to embrace love in all its forms.

Tickets for the performance on October 7 are priced at Rs 599 and can be purchased through the website altshows.com.