An Overview of the Play Infiltration by Prof. Dr. Prakash Ramakant Vazrikar

About Infiltration

The play “Infiltration” tells the story of a peaceful, self-sufficient Adivasi village living in harmony with nature and their traditional beliefs. Their kindness is exploited when four humble-seeming outsiders are allowed to stay. Initially sharing land, food, water, and firewood, the villagers soon watch as the outsiders become dependent, question and mock Adivasi customs, demand crops, and take control of resources.

The outsiders divide the community by introducing new beliefs and influencing the youth. The turning point arrives when they attempt to seize the Adivasis’ most sacred ritual site. This awakens the villagers, who unite under their elders to fight back and defend their land, culture, and faith against greed and colonization.

Writer

Prof. Dr. Prakash Ramakant Vazrikar is the HOD of the Department of Konkani at the Government College of Arts Science and Commerce, Khandola Marcela Goa. He is a former Director of the Official Language Department and ex-officio secretary to the Governor of Goa (2012 to 2017), and an ex-member of the Sahitya Akademi Konkani Advisory Board.

He has published 12 plays and 2 books on literary criticism in Konkani. He has received the 1st prize for best scripts in Konkani/Marathi plays 10 times at state-level drama competitions organized by the Goa Kala Akademi. His career also includes serving as chairman of the Board of Studies in Konkani at Goa University from 2000 to 2023, along with receiving fellowships and state literary awards.

Director's Background

The director holds a Diploma in Theater Art, a Masters in Performing Arts, and a B.F.A. in Painting. With over thirty years of experience in directing, design, and arts education, their work spans traditional Goan village festivals, the 'Pundalik Naik' Festival, and official Government Street Plays, as well as directing for the Kala Academy's School of Drama and Repertory Company.

The director has earned more than 100 state-level awards across Direction, Set Design, Light Design, Painting, and Sculpture, including the Yuva Srujan Puraskar 2012-13, the Gopinath Savkar Award for Best Direction, and 1st place for Best Direction for 'INFILTRATION' at the 61st Maharashtra Rajya Natyspardha 2023. They currently serve as an Art and Theatre Art Teacher at People's High School, Panjim.

Director's Note

The director notes that 'Infiltration' explores how power slowly takes over innocence through a gradual, silent takeover by outsiders. Nature and its elements serve as tools of domination, reflecting human greed and the destruction of harmony. Through the direction, emotions are expressed using Goan folk dance and movement to show how the loss of nature and freedom leads to resistance.

Group: RASRANG Ugvem

Established in 2012, RASRANG Ugvem nurtures art and theatre across rural and urban landscapes by providing a platform for artists through competitions, workshops, and performances. With more than 10 victories in state-level drama competitions, the organization secured 1st place in the final round of the Maharashtra Marathi Natya Spardha in 2023 with the play “Infiltration.”