Bittersweet is set in the 1860’s and revolves around the lives of four indentured Indian labourers, a woman and the Sardar(Indian Supervisor).

The protagonists include Murugas and Appia; two brothers from South India, who are transplanted to Africa. The younger brother, Appia still keenly feels the injustices of life as an untouchable in India. He is determined to fight against the injustices he experiences in South Africa as a result of this. This brings him into conflict with Ramesh, a North Indian upper caste man and the cruel and rapacious Sardar who is tasked by his White employer in exacting the maximum amount of work from the labourers. Murugas is the sickly older brother who is more accepting of his fate and tries to placate the rebellious Appia. Matters are further complicated when a beautiful North Indian girl, Parbathie who is a widow escaping the cruelty of her in laws in India arrives on the plantation. Parbathy is seemingly naïve yet determined to make a new life for herself.

Abdulla is a wisecracking Muslim man living with his own tragedy and is the voice of reason in troubled avenues. The Sardar is murdered by an unknown assailant. Suspicion falls on Ramesh who suspects Appia but Murugas ultimately confesses only in an attempt to protect the people he loves; although the real killer is yet to emerge from Yusuf’s intriguing script. The end of the play is a new beginning to be scripted by future generations.

Director, Pranesh Maharaj, is excited to be working on this project and looks forward to opening night. “I am so glad that Farouk and Yusuf thought me to be the ideal candidate to direct a piece that is so relevant and interesting. I have complete faith in the cast and I know that audiences will be entertained and swept of their feet to the performance of Bittersweet.”

Bittersweet is a story of suffering and helplessness under the iniquitous indenture system but more importantly it is a story of sacrifice and hope under an African sky.

The musical engagement in this play is performed live by Master Vivek and Master Shakeel. The cast consists of Denver Naidoo, Lovie Ramas Rai, Raj Naidoo, Ashim Saxena, Ruben Naidoo and Shalini Singh. The play is produced by Hoosen Farouk Sayed with Greenlight productions as the executive producers and is set to to be staged in Phoenix at Shastri Park Hall. Tickets will be available at Maharaj’s Prayer Goods. For block bookings or queries please call Pranesh on 082 295 1842.