Mahesh Dattani’s Final Solutions

 Mahesh Dattani’s Final Solutions 

What is the significance of the title "Final Solutions" and what is the final solution of the play?

In this particular blog I am going to write a play on Mahesh Dattani’s Final Solutions. This task was assigned by Vaidehi ma’am . 

Mahesh Dattani : 

      Mahesh Dattani is a well-known modern Indian playwright as well as the first Indian playwright to be awarded the Sahitya Academy Award in (1998), which is regarded as the highest award in the writing field for one of his best creations, Final Solution And Other Plays. He is not only a playwright but also a stage director, an actor, a screenwriter, and a film-maker. He is continuing to contribute to Indian-English drama. 

The theme of his plays is extremely out of mind and unconventional as he always focuses on the burning concepts of society like problems of women, gender-discrimination, taboos, husband-wife relationship etc. 

Dattani remarks himself, “The function of the drama, in my opinion, is not merely to reflect the malfunction of the society but to act like freak mirrors in a carnival and to project grotesque images of all that passes for normal in our world. It is ugly, but funny”. 

His plays are somewhere subjective and he has successfully staged his plays in the whole country. He set himself as a successful playwright among some remarkable playwrights and directors such as Badal Sircar, Vijay Tendulkar, Girish Karnad and Mahesh Elkunchwar, who no doubt contributed a lot to the growth and development of Indian drama. 

Dattani’s art of writing expresses different mental states, emotions and ideas, desires and aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, basic moral and social questions as well as individual predicaments. They also introduce a real and true picture of the social, political, economic and cultural life of present times. 

His plays like-

Where There’s a Will (1988), 

Dance Like a Man (1989), 

Tara (1990), 

Bravely Fought the Queen (1991), Final Solutions (1993),

Do the Needful (1997), 

On a Muggy Night in Mumbai (1998), 

Seven Steps Around the Fire(1999) Thirty Days in September (2001)

About the play : 

   The play opens as the Gandhi family prepares for a wedding celebration. However, their joyous occasion is interrupted by the outbreak of a communal riot outside their home. Two young Muslim men, Bobby and Babban, seek refuge in the Gandhi household, fearing for their lives.

As the riot escalates, tensions rise within the Gandhi family. Aruna, deeply religious and distrustful of Muslims, fears for her family's safety. Hardika, haunted by the trauma of the partition, struggles to reconcile with the present violence. Ramnik, caught between his wife's fear and his own liberal ideals, grapples with the responsibility of protecting the young men.

Through flashbacks to 1947, the play reveals the origins of the communal conflict and its devastating impact on Hardika's life. These flashbacks expose the deep-seated prejudices and violence that continue to plague Indian society.

Title significance of the play - Final Solutions 

Irony and Foreshadowing:

It directly references the Nazi euphemism for the Holocaust, immediately evoking a sense of horror and highlighting the potential for similar atrocities in the context of communal violence. It creates an atmosphere of foreboding, hinting at the potential for tragedy and the devastating consequences of unchecked prejudice and hatred.

Ambiguity and Lack of Closure:

The plural form "Solutions" implies that there might be multiple solutions to the problem of communalism, but the play doesn't offer definitive answers.

It leaves the audience questioning what those solutions might be and prompting them to consider their own ideas and responsibilities.

Emphasis on Consequences:

The term "final" suggests the irreversibility of the actions taken and the lasting impact of violence and hatred. It forces the audience to confront the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate action to prevent further tragedies.

Multiple interpretations:

The title can be interpreted differently by different characters and audience members. For some, it might represent fear and the desire for a quick and permanent solution to the conflict. For others, it might represent hope for a future where individuals can overcome prejudice and find genuine solutions for peaceful coexistence.

Open-Endedness and Dialogue:

By refusing to offer a single, definitive "final solution," the play encourages discussion and critical reflection. It asks the audience to engage in dialogue, consider different perspectives, and actively participate in the search for solutions to complex social issues.

 Conclusion

 The title "Final Solutions" is an integral part of the play's message. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked prejudice and violence, while simultaneously offering hope for dialogue, understanding, and ultimately, a more just and peaceful future.