A play titled ‘Two Fathers,’ written by Sundar Sarukai and directed by Badri Narayan, was staged by Kalasuruchi as an inaugural play of the first edition of 3-day Mysuru English Theatre Festival, organised by Mysuru English Theatre Forum, at Jagannatha Centre for Art & Culture in Vijayanagar on Jan. 12.

The play was based on two extraordinary figures — Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi.

One thought hard, imagined vividly and found hither-to undiscovered truths. The other drew from the age-old truths and shaped society according to them.

While one sought to reveal the working of nature applying his genius brain, the other strived to establish peace by encompassing everyone in his boundless heart.

One is till date the gold standard of intelligence, the other is the epitome of love and compassion.

One is the embodiment of jnana, the other one of nishkamakarma.

Jnana and Karma are the two wings without which no flight towards future is possible.

The juxtaposition of the two greats of human history is fascinating. Though there is mutual admiration, Gandhi cannot grasp the intricacies of Einstein’s equation and Einstein cannot fathom the incredible simplicity of Gandhi. The play raises nuanced questions on the nature of truth and the different ways in which it can be approached.

Nevertheless, the play also throws light on their undoings. Both had a tough time maintaining their familial relationships. Einstein preferred to be list in thought, while Gandhi dissolved himself in service.

In the process, both were  failed fathers.

Despite their greatness, they have to face criticism — one for his failure to stop the partition of his country and other for the wholesale destruction made possible by his discovery.

The two never met each other. Art can re-imagine reality and even remedy the wrongs, albeit only in its make-believe world. But its implications can impact the present, reconciling the differing perspectives and harmonising warring parties.

Harilal can become a Gandhian and Einstein’s daughter can join hands with her father, with the stage aptly set in paradise.

The play makes possible the confluence of stalwarts, symbolising perhaps the meeting of the head and the heart.

—Ajay Swaroop