Women at the crossroads: Desire and duty in The Chai Queens
The Chai Queens ,
a play, recently presented at The Creative Arts Academy, intricately weaves a narrative of love, yearning, camaraderie, desire, envy, and the profound, often unspoken sacrifices women make for family, culture, and their own survival.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Like a slowly brewed cup of chai, some affections steep in unspoken moments, poured in secret, and savoured in quiet.
Against the vibrant backdrop of an extravagant
Indian wedding
's music and rituals, childhood best friends Babli and Tejal reconnect after fifteen years. Babli, now a wife and mother, navigates the ingrained patterns of tradition, constrained by expectations she has never challenged. Tejal, a spirit driven by wanderlust, returns home to discover that some distances stubbornly persist.
Yet, amidst the shimmering silks and the soft glow of oil lamps, an unspoken truth begins to surface. A lingering touch. A glance heavy with the weight of years. The phantom of an unnamed love now presses against the present reality.
As the three-day and three-night wedding festivities unfold, Babli and Tejal find solace in stolen moments over chai. Their hands brush across shared cups, warmth seeps into chilled fingers, and words dissolve into the rising steam.
Past, present, and future collide. Desire clashes with obligation, and longing grapples with loss. In a world that offered them no space, can they forge their own?
Or will they, once more, choose to walk away, leaving behind not only each other but also the essential part of themselves that only the other truly understood?
Directed by Ramanjit Kaur and featuring Taranjit Kaur and Archana Patel in leading roles, "The Chai Queens" drew from Taranjit Kaur's original storyline and incorporated excerpts from Vikrant Dhote's script "So Far," along with contributions from Taranjit Kaur, Archana Patel, and Ramanjit Kaur.
The play's evocative music is designed by Pt. Tanmoy Bose, with Ruhani Singh serving as Production Director.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Sorry sir, ye to nahi milega aapko': Rajeev Khandelwal on how he handled sexual harassment
Rajeev Khandelwal, an actor known for his roles in films like Aamir and Table No. 21, has openly discussed his experiences with the casting couch in the Indian film industry and how complicated it was for him to handle it. (Also read: The Secret Of The Shiledars trailer: Rajeev Khandelwal leads a desi Indiana Jones-style series. Watch) In an interview with Zoom, Rajeev discussed how difficult it can be for outsiders to get work and how he handled sexual harassment during that phase. The Kahii To Hoga actor emphasised that it is important for an actor to realise who he/she is and how he/she wants to achieve success. "It can be very difficult and very easy to handle it, too. You have to identify, who you are. The sooner you identify who you are and who you want to be. Kya main saam daam dhand bhed kar ke success kamana chahta hu (Am I someone who wants to achieve things through persuasion, price, punishment, and division) or am I that personality who would not find any happiness by doing all of this? I am a person who wants to earn every smile and appreciation that I get," Rajeev said. Rajeev mentioned that he took it upon himself to take charge of his career, stressing that he would not want to give anyone the luxury of owning his destiny. "It is tough to fight temptation, and easy if you know who you are. I would tell them, Sorry Sir, mere se nahi milega aapko (you would not get it from me) and in my head I would think, 'Are you the one who would write my destiny? Sorry, boss, you would not write my future, I would do that. I don't give importance to one individual that this will make or break my life," he added. Rajeev was last seen in a mystery thriller series directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, which also featured Sai Tamhankar. Inspired by the Marathi novel Pratipashchandra, the series blends historical intrigue with modern adventure, drawing comparisons to Indiana Jones. It premiered on JioHotstar on 31 January.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Foreigner Rates Indian Paan 7/10, Gets Schooled By Desis: 'You Don't Bite It'
Last Updated: A model tried the popular Indian mouth freshener, Paan, for the first time and was instantly surprised by its strong flavour and large size. People from Western countries often find Indian food fascinating and flavorful, and their first-time reactions often go viral online. Recently, American model Rachel Pizzolato tried a popular Indian mouth freshener, paan, for the first time, and shared her experience in a now-viral video. Rachel was visibly surprised by the strong flavour and large size of the paan. 'It tastes like a cherry drink," she remarked, as those around her nodded in agreement. However, she admitted she couldn't finish the whole thing on her own. 'I'm not eating the whole thing, can't do it," she said, rating it a 7 out of 10. Reacting to the post, a user wrote, 'It's our mouth freshener and also very good for digestion." Another shared, 'Mistake most people trying pan first time do like this lady is taking a small bite. It has to be eaten as a whole. Different parts of it have different flavours." 'You are not alone. I am Indian, and I still can't eat Paan. Not for me," a comment read. An individual stated, 'You don't bite it. You have to put the whole of the paan in one go in your mouth and chew it. Then only you will get the full flavour." One more added, '7 out of 10, huh, it's because it was in foil, which I'm guessing pre-made. You need to have the real deal made fresh in front of you, and with all the mixing, then you'll understand." Paan is a traditional Indian snack made with betel leaves, typically served after meals for its refreshing and digestive qualities. The leaf is filled with a variety of ingredients such as candied fruits, raisins, cardamom, saffron, roasted coconut, and sometimes even a delicate layer of edible silver. Once folded into a neat parcel, it's chewed slowly to release a burst of sweet, aromatic flavours. While paan can vary by region, it remains a beloved treat across India for its rich taste and cultural significance.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
The poster of Phera is out
The poster of Phera , directed by is out. The film marks the Bengali debut of veteran actor , known for his powerful and nuanced performances across Indian cinema. Joining him in pivotal roles are two of Bengal's most celebrated actors — and . With such a dynamic cast and a compelling narrative, Phera promises to be an emotional and thought-provoking cinematic experience. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The film revolves around two men and one house that no longer stands the way it used to. In a city that rewards speed and reinvention, Priyam runs just fast enough to not fall behind. His father, Pannalal, once a local hero, now measures time in habits and rust. When the past quite literally cracks open, their two worlds — and worldviews — are forced into uneasy proximity. ' Phera is a story of quiet reckonings — of what we call success, of how much we leave behind, and what remains when the noise fades. It is about the awkward poetry of returning — not to glory, but to someone who still saves you a seat. Some lives don't arc. They echo,' says the director.
