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Tara: A play in two acts
‘A playwright of world stature’—Mario Relich, Wasafiri
Tara and Chandan have always been close. They were, after all, born as conjoined twins. But a horrific revelation drives a wedge between the siblings, plunging Chandan into a cycle of guilt and blame from which he cannot escape. One of Mahesh Dattani's most popular works, Tara was also one of the first Indian plays in English to highlight the dangers of gender discrimination, and the insidious ways in which it operates in our society.
‘At last we have a playwright who gives sixty million English-speaking Indians an identity’—Alyque Padamsee
‘Powerful and disturbing’—The New York Times
Tara and Chandan have always been close. They were, after all, born as conjoined twins. But a horrific revelation drives a wedge between the siblings, plunging Chandan into a cycle of guilt and blame from which he cannot escape. One of Mahesh Dattani's most popular works, Tara was also one of the first Indian plays in English to highlight the dangers of gender discrimination, and the insidious ways in which it operates in our society.
‘At last we have a playwright who gives sixty million English-speaking Indians an identity’—Alyque Padamsee
‘Powerful and disturbing’—The New York Times
61 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
75 people are currently reading
807 people want to read
About the author
Mahesh Dattani
35 books36 followersMahesh Dattani is an Indian director, actor, playwright and writer. He wrote such plays as Final Solutions, Dance Like a Man, Bravely Fought the Queen, On a Muggy Night in Mumbai, Tara,Thirty Days in September and'The murder that never was', starring Dheiraj Kapoor. He is the first playwright in English to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award. His plays have been directed by eminent directors like Arvind Gaur, Alyque Padamsee and Lillete Dubey. Dattani is also a film director. His debut film is Mango Souffle, adapted from one of his plays. He also wrote and directed the movie Morning Raaga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 28, 2016
The first thing that I absolutely loved about Tara is you simply can't keep it down! No, you open it, your eyes skim through the setting and before you know, it has grabbed you and thrown you into the beautiful, witty, twisted and painfully sad world of the conjoined twins, Chandan and Tara.
What starts as a play about two self sufficient siblings, in a famiky where the mother favours the daughter and the father favours the son, slowly evolves into a beautiful and horrifying tale of parental preference for the male, guilt, making amends, secrets and lies.
Tara is gorgeous! It's hauntingly gorgeous! I've read so many plays and yet I've never read anything like this before. Mahesh Dattani is clearly one of the best playwrights in India.
What starts as a play about two self sufficient siblings, in a famiky where the mother favours the daughter and the father favours the son, slowly evolves into a beautiful and horrifying tale of parental preference for the male, guilt, making amends, secrets and lies.
Tara is gorgeous! It's hauntingly gorgeous! I've read so many plays and yet I've never read anything like this before. Mahesh Dattani is clearly one of the best playwrights in India.
July 7, 2022
Story of separated co-joined twins in 90s ....rare know
Story of co-joined twins of opposite gender ....again rare
But story of discrimination in India not rare
And
That's what the story is
And many interesting things
In the lives of twins
How they survive
How they cope up with mental abuse
How they cope up with their bodies
And
World around
Some harsh truths
Some reality which is still prevailing today
Discrimination from the loved ones
.
.
A must read play
And a very small one
Story of co-joined twins of opposite gender ....again rare
But story of discrimination in India not rare
And
That's what the story is
And many interesting things
In the lives of twins
How they survive
How they cope up with mental abuse
How they cope up with their bodies
And
World around
Some harsh truths
Some reality which is still prevailing today
Discrimination from the loved ones
.
.
A must read play
And a very small one
January 13, 2021
Never been more glad for having taken up Literature as my field of study. How else would i ever know of hidden gems like this?
April 4, 2024
3.5 stars. fuck Patel; all my homies hate Patel.
March 9, 2022
“People who know they are dying have such a deep understanding of life. And a sense of attachment to it.” - Dan
I felt vaguely emotional while reading this play. Not the type of emotional where you cry or feel shattered, but the type of emotional where you understand and have an emotion level connection with the characters. I don’t know with which character I had such connection. Tara is a great read. It’s short and impactful.
I felt vaguely emotional while reading this play. Not the type of emotional where you cry or feel shattered, but the type of emotional where you understand and have an emotion level connection with the characters. I don’t know with which character I had such connection. Tara is a great read. It’s short and impactful.
June 22, 2022
Tara is a beautiful and moving play by Mahesh Dattani and I wouldn't have found this wonderful piece if I hadn't taken English Literature. It's a play that you can't describe in words, but only feel its beauty while reading it. The play deals with issues of gender identity, gender discrimination, disability, and unethical medical practices. It's a beautiful piece of tragedy that evokes many emotions ranging from happiness to anger to sadness. The story smoothly glides between the past and the present hooking you to the characters. And main character Tara herself is portrayed wonderfully. She is an ambitious, intelligent, and bold girl who even with all her problems doesn't back off from her problems. It's a must-read play for everyone.
The play tells the story of two conjoined twins Chandan and Tara who were separated through operation at birth. Both have lost one of their legs and while Chandan is healthy, Tara suffers from various problems throughout her life and has to undergo many operations. Also, we see that Tara's mother Bharati is not only attached to her daughter but obsessed with her. She even goes to the lengths of threatening and bribing Roopa to make her friends with her daughter. On the other hand, Patel, their father seems to focus more on his son than his daughter. But as the story goes on, the readers find that Bharati and Patel are hiding a big secret from their children. And Bharati is adamant about giving her kidney to Tara. In the end, we see that though Bharati gave her kidney successfully to Tara, she ends up having a nervous breakdown and stays in the hospital. On the other hand, Tara who feels more and more isolated from her father and closer to her mother feels that he is hiding something from her. And then the truth comes out after being forced by Tara. When they were both cojoined, it was decided that Tara's leg would be given to Chandan since he was a boy. And this decision was taken by her mother and grandfather. This decision affects Tara in the long term as not only does she loses her leg and becomes crippled, but also has to face many complications throughout her life. This breaks the bond between Tara and Chandan and later Tara dies. This whole story is being thought of by Chandan or Dan who is in London at present.
The end is heartbreaking, especially when you realise that Tara is no more and leaves you pondering over the gender discrimination and illegal medical practices that still goes on in the present. And after reading the whole play, you can piece everything together and each word and sentence makes sense. The guilt that Chandan faces is nicely presented by Dattani as we feel like we are inside his mind and can see everything from his eyes.
I personally feel that the play is similar to one of my favourite plays The Glass Menagerie which too deals with the topic of guilt that the brother faces since he left his sister alone. I feel the feeling of guilt is the same in both the plays and so is the magical touch.
Lastly, the play never bores you and as it goes on, it hooks you to the story and its characters, leaving you with a lasting effect. It uses all your senses and makes you see, hear, think, and feel, all at the same time. I feel grateful that I was able to read this beautiful piece.
The play tells the story of two conjoined twins Chandan and Tara who were separated through operation at birth. Both have lost one of their legs and while Chandan is healthy, Tara suffers from various problems throughout her life and has to undergo many operations. Also, we see that Tara's mother Bharati is not only attached to her daughter but obsessed with her. She even goes to the lengths of threatening and bribing Roopa to make her friends with her daughter. On the other hand, Patel, their father seems to focus more on his son than his daughter. But as the story goes on, the readers find that Bharati and Patel are hiding a big secret from their children. And Bharati is adamant about giving her kidney to Tara. In the end, we see that though Bharati gave her kidney successfully to Tara, she ends up having a nervous breakdown and stays in the hospital. On the other hand, Tara who feels more and more isolated from her father and closer to her mother feels that he is hiding something from her. And then the truth comes out after being forced by Tara. When they were both cojoined, it was decided that Tara's leg would be given to Chandan since he was a boy. And this decision was taken by her mother and grandfather. This decision affects Tara in the long term as not only does she loses her leg and becomes crippled, but also has to face many complications throughout her life. This breaks the bond between Tara and Chandan and later Tara dies. This whole story is being thought of by Chandan or Dan who is in London at present.
The end is heartbreaking, especially when you realise that Tara is no more and leaves you pondering over the gender discrimination and illegal medical practices that still goes on in the present. And after reading the whole play, you can piece everything together and each word and sentence makes sense. The guilt that Chandan faces is nicely presented by Dattani as we feel like we are inside his mind and can see everything from his eyes.
I personally feel that the play is similar to one of my favourite plays The Glass Menagerie which too deals with the topic of guilt that the brother faces since he left his sister alone. I feel the feeling of guilt is the same in both the plays and so is the magical touch.
Lastly, the play never bores you and as it goes on, it hooks you to the story and its characters, leaving you with a lasting effect. It uses all your senses and makes you see, hear, think, and feel, all at the same time. I feel grateful that I was able to read this beautiful piece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2017
It was a good enough read. I have realised I don't like dramas much because of the dry language. The form just doesn't appeal me, and since I've never seen one professionally enacted on stage, maybe the aversion is more. Whatever the reason, had to read this for class, so did.
The plot is good one, and I loved the non-linearity of time. The plot revolves around two conjoined twins Tara and Chandan who were separated a few months after birth in a very complicated and revolutionary surgery. However, there is a secret that the parents have maintained from the children, and the guilt of that drives the actions of the characters of the play. The actions of both Tara and Chandan emerge from such emotional places at times that I sat there awed. And I have a feeling that Chandan was sort of an antagonistic character here, but I like him more than I do Tara who was a little too insensitive and mean at times.
Overall, the writing was okay, except for one sentence that was literal translation of a Hindi dialogue and sounded so crass when read in English. There was a certain amount of wit and humour that I loved. The characters were also drawn brilliantly and the character histories were ample as well.
The plot is good one, and I loved the non-linearity of time. The plot revolves around two conjoined twins Tara and Chandan who were separated a few months after birth in a very complicated and revolutionary surgery. However, there is a secret that the parents have maintained from the children, and the guilt of that drives the actions of the characters of the play. The actions of both Tara and Chandan emerge from such emotional places at times that I sat there awed. And I have a feeling that Chandan was sort of an antagonistic character here, but I like him more than I do Tara who was a little too insensitive and mean at times.
Overall, the writing was okay, except for one sentence that was literal translation of a Hindi dialogue and sounded so crass when read in English. There was a certain amount of wit and humour that I loved. The characters were also drawn brilliantly and the character histories were ample as well.
June 12, 2023
It was quite an intellectual read. Despite being a rather short story, it dealt with so many societal and family issues present in such a vast amount. The best part is while reading it, you think it's just a normal story but it's only when you finish it that you realize the meaning of the whole book. The minor details are easy to miss and I spent days once I finished reading it, understanding every scene and analyzing every action of the characters, which made an already complex plot a lot more harder to decipher. The book showed how it isn't always black and white when it comes to people around you, but it can still lead to permanent marks that some of us might have to live with for the rest of our lives. Such a wonderful play, would definitely read it again.
February 24, 2020
I am shattered. I died reading this painful masterpiece. I feel hollow from inside. It's the weirdest feeling I ever encountered in my life. Mahesh Dattani is the Lord of playwriting. I could see faces, hear voices; everything was in front of my eyes even when I haven't seen its recitation.
But unfortunately, I am dead. Something happened to me. I just don't know what.
But unfortunately, I am dead. Something happened to me. I just don't know what.
October 14, 2017
One of the best plays that discuss gender performativity. All the characters are highly political. It raises too many questions with regard to sexual marginalization, misogyny, power and disability studies. Dattani’s play is full of life.
November 11, 2022
Tara: “You men can imitate us so well if you want to. Pity we can't return the compliment.”
(Exits.)
(Exits.)
December 12, 2023
TARA is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged theatrical experience that delves deep into the intricacies of human relationships. As a seasoned playwright, Dattani masterfully weaves together a narrative that explores the complexities of love, betrayal, and self-discovery.
Spoiler's ahead
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Mahesh Dattani makes it a point not only to just present the gendered violence in case of Tara; but also focuses on how a single instance of an unjust decision by the mother and her father to provide the third leg to Chandan makes the whole family suffer different angst and anguishes and how they suffer from different psychological problems because of it. The whole family is affected by that decision and thus it leads to a breakdown of the emotional bond that a family usually should have. This breakdown of the familial relationship makes Dan (Chandan) take the step of distancing himself and be at London as he is remorseful for the way Tara has been unjustly treated by her own family.
Moreover, disability is also an issue that Mahesh Dattani dealt with much care and showed how the society needs to be sensitive towards the physically challenged for its own good and not just treat them as “freaks.” Medical practitioners are also being given a piece of ethical tirade as sometimes because of petty gains they practice some measures which puts shame not only to their profession but also to Medical science itself.
Thus multifarious concerns of Mahesh Dattani are prevalent in the play Tara making it a play fit for the present times.
This play is a must-watch for anyone seeking a deeply moving and intellectually stimulating experience.
THIS WAS DEFINITELY A GOOD READ
Spoiler's ahead
.
.
.
.
.
Mahesh Dattani makes it a point not only to just present the gendered violence in case of Tara; but also focuses on how a single instance of an unjust decision by the mother and her father to provide the third leg to Chandan makes the whole family suffer different angst and anguishes and how they suffer from different psychological problems because of it. The whole family is affected by that decision and thus it leads to a breakdown of the emotional bond that a family usually should have. This breakdown of the familial relationship makes Dan (Chandan) take the step of distancing himself and be at London as he is remorseful for the way Tara has been unjustly treated by her own family.
Moreover, disability is also an issue that Mahesh Dattani dealt with much care and showed how the society needs to be sensitive towards the physically challenged for its own good and not just treat them as “freaks.” Medical practitioners are also being given a piece of ethical tirade as sometimes because of petty gains they practice some measures which puts shame not only to their profession but also to Medical science itself.
Thus multifarious concerns of Mahesh Dattani are prevalent in the play Tara making it a play fit for the present times.
This play is a must-watch for anyone seeking a deeply moving and intellectually stimulating experience.
THIS WAS DEFINITELY A GOOD READ
February 2, 2023
In each of his plays Dattani has dealt with domestic dilemmas which in general remain unobserved though they cause extensive harm to the contentment of the family.
Tara is a problem play. Tara's parents, Patel and Bharati, lack empathy. Bharti believes that Patel does not think about Tara's career, while Bharati believes that a girl has no future without a career.
Bharati tells Chandan, "Women have to do that as well these days. She must have a career....The world will tolerate you. The world will accept you, but not her!"
Bharati believes that women should get a respectable place in the society and that is probable only when they are economically sovereign. But Patel still thinks that women should be constrained within the four walls of the house. This one point of dissimilarity has caused so much of discord in the family that the husband and wife have failed to have any consequential synchronization between them.
The wife intimidates at one stage that she will give out his secret to the children and husband refuses to give his ailing wife a chance to make a confession.
After the death of the wife, Chandan speaks curtly to his father, showing he has little love for his father.
The playwright noticeably wants to say that understanding between husband and wife is necessary for the contentment of the family.
A neat play.
Tara is a problem play. Tara's parents, Patel and Bharati, lack empathy. Bharti believes that Patel does not think about Tara's career, while Bharati believes that a girl has no future without a career.
Bharati tells Chandan, "Women have to do that as well these days. She must have a career....The world will tolerate you. The world will accept you, but not her!"
Bharati believes that women should get a respectable place in the society and that is probable only when they are economically sovereign. But Patel still thinks that women should be constrained within the four walls of the house. This one point of dissimilarity has caused so much of discord in the family that the husband and wife have failed to have any consequential synchronization between them.
The wife intimidates at one stage that she will give out his secret to the children and husband refuses to give his ailing wife a chance to make a confession.
After the death of the wife, Chandan speaks curtly to his father, showing he has little love for his father.
The playwright noticeably wants to say that understanding between husband and wife is necessary for the contentment of the family.
A neat play.
June 18, 2021
This book is an example of how newly independent colonies decided to tell their own stories and talk about their issues on their behalf instead of an orientalist. The time that this book was written is very prominently visible in the play. It's a short and easy read but it'll hurt you as you uncover the blindfold that the educated class adorns towards the themes and problems that Tara holds. The music that the characters listen to adds emotion to the plot and tells us about the lifestyle of the characters in a newly independent India. My favourite part about the play was the way in which it juxtaposed various scenes and it made them more complex and everything was told to us indirectly via that juxtaposed layer. The book showcases the issues of gender inequality in its very narrative structure along with the plot. Stereotypes are a device Dattani constantly plays with, to expose the vices present but veiled in society.
August 5, 2024
Lol I WISH I was theater. ...... Tara by Mahesh Dattani is an emotional tour de force that captivates from the start. This two-act play dives into the poignant lives of conjoined twins, Tara and Chandan, revealing a story of love, betrayal, and identity. Dattani's sharp dialogue and unflinching honesty expose deep-seated gender biases and societal pressures, creating a narrative that's both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. The characters are vividly real, their struggles deeply affecting. Tara challenges perceptions and evokes profound empathy, leaving a lasting impact. It's a sensational drama you’ll love and remember long after the final curtain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2024
The play brings forward issues of gender discrimination that plagues our society. Tara's mother who feels guilty about the choice she made regarding her children, preferring one over the other and she tries to make up for mistake by an overabundance of love but finally goes insane proving that a guilty conscience could be fatal, her father who clearly prefers her brother to succeed after him and her Chandan brother who is her other half in whom she finds a friend and confidant. Tara faces the world bravely and dreams to live but she does not survive. While Chandan who is now Dan, struggles to write out his story tormented by the truth of his existence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2021
I absolutely loved the play. The depiction of gender inequality, patriarchy, mandatory gender roles, and all such crucial societal issues are so very well reflected and portrayed throughout.
After reading the play, I instantly was willing to watch it from somewhere. However, couldn't get it anywhere for the same.
Nonetheless, it's a play which definitely needs to be read by everyone and especially the students who are pursuing Literature and Theatre as their subjects in their careers. The play helps in evolution of new ideas and pondering over the old traditions.
After reading the play, I instantly was willing to watch it from somewhere. However, couldn't get it anywhere for the same.
Nonetheless, it's a play which definitely needs to be read by everyone and especially the students who are pursuing Literature and Theatre as their subjects in their careers. The play helps in evolution of new ideas and pondering over the old traditions.
August 27, 2019
One of the best plays I have ever read. It was heart-touching and heart-breaking at the same time. I loved the casual yet gloomy tone he had.
Mahesh Dattani is truly a master in his craft. It's so hard to explain the emotions I was going through as a reader. The feelings transcended from the pages of the play to the heart of the readers for sure.
I would love to watch it in real life. The set-up was so unique to his style of writing. I just loved it so much❤
Mahesh Dattani is truly a master in his craft. It's so hard to explain the emotions I was going through as a reader. The feelings transcended from the pages of the play to the heart of the readers for sure.
I would love to watch it in real life. The set-up was so unique to his style of writing. I just loved it so much❤
June 18, 2020
A drama that uses space and time in an excellent way, and includes specific music in its writing (which I listened to, as and when it started and faded out). It truly enhanced my experience of reading and made me feel like I truly saw a performance on stage.
A beautiful piece that deals with complexities of human nature and gender based partiality in our society, which comes with its own guilts and trauma. Would definitely like to read more of his plays.
A beautiful piece that deals with complexities of human nature and gender based partiality in our society, which comes with its own guilts and trauma. Would definitely like to read more of his plays.
December 19, 2020
There is humor, tragedy, grace, twists, love, and pain. It is, at the same time heart touching and heartbreaking. TARA is a brilliant play by a brilliant writer MAHESH DATTANI, first played in the year 1989. The play is named after the female protagonist of the play, Tara.
Are you a Woman, a Female? Then this is a must-read! No other word! Must Read!
Read Full Article: https://rufbuk.com/tara-by-mahesh-dat...
Are you a Woman, a Female? Then this is a must-read! No other word! Must Read!
Read Full Article: https://rufbuk.com/tara-by-mahesh-dat...
July 15, 2018
The stage is used well as is lighting. The theme of the play is hardly touched by any other playwright. The plot construction is really good as is the story. Tara is really one of the best and meaningful works of literature.
August 25, 2018
it's a fascinating tale of perspectives, memories, gender discrimination, patriarchy, familial expectations, domestic relations, and many others in a dense fashion that is jarring and probably the intention of the playwright.
December 5, 2024
🌟4.5🌟
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘵... 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺, 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦...
The way this play is woven through time and memory - ingenious!
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘵... 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺, 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦...
The way this play is woven through time and memory - ingenious!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
Mahesh Dattani's Tara is a wonderful critique of the patriarchal Indian society and gendered violence prevalent in the medical world. Really, a wonderful and emotional play that genuinely shook me to the core.
Currently reading
October 9, 2020Tara is a play against gender discrimination
June 20, 2021
This play has beautifully shown the agony of a girl in typical indian society.
July 16, 2021
A heartbreaking play with realism of the middle class of the Indian society.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews