A memorable "Doosra"

Those familiar with cricket would know that "doosra" is a cricket term that refers to a type of delivery bowled by off-spin bowlers (just like a "bouncer" is bowled by fast bowlers). Off-spinners generally bowl off-breaks. A doosra is the opposite of an off-break, i.e. it spins in the direction opposite to an off-break, taking the batsmen by surprise because the delivery he receives would not be what he expects. 

"Doosra", an English play written and directed by Anand Raghav and performed by Paradigm Creations seems to have lived up to its name and surprised many who saw it.

Sanjay Mysoremutt, a JP Nagar resident who who attended one of the two charity shows staged at MLR Convention Centre, JP Nagar in aid of PNLIT, said, "The play was brilliant, enjoyed it more than watching a good movie! Excellent use of video and live performance. And I expected it to be a good comedy but it was deeply thought-provoking as well beyond the topic of cricket, especially the parent-child relationship and discussion on values."

The 90 minutes of "Doosra" very vividly depicted the changes in the game of cricket - from 'the' gentlemen's game to a commercial venture. The humour throughout the play had the audience in splits while also touching them in a more serious way. Video projections of cricket match scenes as a backdrop made the play unique in that it felt like watching a real match.   

A scene from Doosra (Pic: Harish Mahendrakar)           

Ganesh, a 20-year old ambitious cricketer finally gets selected to represent India. With this, his life sees significant changes, driven by power, politics, money and pressure. Ganesh's parents try to guide him onto the path that they see as the right path. To know how Ganesh's life progressed after the brushes with fans, teammates, bookies and politicians, wait for the next show of Doosra! 

This was the first time that PNLIT was organising a fund raising event of this magnitude. It would never have been possible without the support of the Paradigm Creations theatre team, the team from Brigade Hospitality's MLRCC and the volunteers from the Puttenahalli Lake area. PNLIT is sincerely thankful to all those who helped in reaching out to people, talking to them about Puttenahalli Lake, PNLIT and the play, getting donations, spreading the word and doing everything else to ensure that the event went off smoothly. A big thank you to all the donors.   

The Doosra team (Pic: Harish Mahendrakar)

Chander, who attended the play wrote, "It was a superb double whammy and has inspired my family to join in your cause for the development of the lake.We are on standby for any help and assistance and would consider it as an honor and privilege to be a part of this great effort that you have initiated with the other trust members." 

PNLIT hopes that many other Bangaloreans have also been touched in the same way as Chander and will help in the rejuvenation efforts at Puttenahalli Lake and other lakes in Bangalore - by supporting, volunteering, donating. 

Photos of the evening, taken by PNLIT Shutterbug Harish Mahendrakar can be found here.

Other photo links 

OP Ramaswamy

Sanjay Mysoremutt

Anush Photography (Facebook link)

Smitha Chandan (Facebook link)

Please walk past the lake on 13th to reach MLR

Please use "Doosra" as an excuse to walk through the lake and reach MLR Convention Centre. You'll see that the water level is low. It is covered with Salvinia Molesta. BUT don't miss the birds. It is likely that you can id the birds yourself but just in case you want to know - Purple Moor Hens are plenty. So also pond herons. The Purple Heron (we have a pair) take a little spotting. They are big but sit so still while waiting for prey, you may not even notice them. The Ashy Prinias are plenty too but they are small, and not easy to spot either unless they fly out into the open. They are also called warblers and you may hear their cheerful "tweet ... tweet." Other birds to look out for are: White breasted Kingfishers, White breasted Waterhens, Bronze winged Jacanas, Tailor birds, sun birds and mynahs. All these are our resident birds - Salvinia or no Salvinia. Bless them!

Going from South City, please take the walking track on the left. (The pathway on the slum side has been dug up further ahead for the BWSSB to lay a bigger Under Ground Drainage pipeline.) As you walk along the track, look at the assorted trees. The smaller ones near the turning were planted only a few months ago. Those towards the Gazebo were planted from July 2010. Some are very tall and some have begun flowering as well. As part of the 3rd phase, the BBMP has laid an irrigation pipeline all along the fence. To prevent miscreants from ripping it up, it is laid underground. However, you will see a short length of blue - grey plastic occasionally jutting out of the ground. A valve will be fixed to these ends. Once water connection is given, we will fix a hose pipe and draw water from these points. When it becomes operational, we intend to plant shrubs between two trees within the inner grill. The shrubs will serve the dual purpose of attracting butterflies while deterring trespassers from crossing the fence.

As you come out of the lake premises, the huge concrete pipe lengths outside are for the diversion channel to harvest rain water from Brigade Millennium (BM) road into the lake. The contractor wanted to begin work last week. We requested him to do so after the play on Sunday (so that you can walk through to reach MLR). Our lake is one of the very few in the city to be free of sewage inflow, hence the low water level. With the new diversion channel in place, we hope more rain water will enter the lake. Well before monsoon, the contractor will remove the Salvinia from the surface of the water. More birds will then return to the lake making it once again a little bird sanctuary in our neighbourhood! 

After this walk or after seeing the play, if you feel peckish please visit the MLR Snacks counter. Kai Ruchi will be serving Hot Bhajji, chaats, hot and cold beverages at reasonable rates.

On your way back from MLR, take another good look around the lake and its premises. Together with the BBMP we are slowly inching towards transforming the lake with lots of clean water, birds and butterflies. We need your support to sustain our work. Come to the lake as often as you want, help us effect the transformation!

Oh yes! If you didn't get donor passes in advance, it doesn't matter. You can get them at the venue. Two shows: 3.30 and 7 p.m. Each pass goes to nurturing the lake and remember, you can claim IT exemption u/s 80G. Go for it! See Doosra! Help our lake!

Those from BM side (who can reach MLR without crossing the lake) can still take a walk to the lake before coming back to MLR!

PNLIT Team