Uncertainty of Principles – A Brilliant Play on Conflict between Science and Superstitions

These are the days of despair and conflicts of ideologies. Almost every other person around us believes in Zodiac signs or some superstition. Many have become followers of self-proclaimed modern spiritual gurus. Moreover it is becoming difficult to even have a decent dialogue on these issues. It is a mine field if we try to converse on these issues as religious sentiments are revoked and all the hell breaks loose. Rationality is almost kind of prohibited and there seems to be a shoot at sight order for rational people.

To make it worse pseudo-scientific ideas are being peddled as science. It is ironic that in the era of internet and GPS, we have embarked on a long path back to dark times full of fear and insecurities requiring support of religion, god-men and caste specific gods to reach home safely.

Given this backdrop, kudos to Mukhosh, a theatre group based in Kalyani, suburb of Kolkata for bringing forth a play – Uncertainty of Principles directed by Dr. Ayan Banerjee who is a faculty at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. The name of the play is a spin-off on Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle but the play is not about difficult scientific theories. It is rather about how wrongly these theories are perceived by the educated and are thought perpetuating the ideas of religion.

The play deals with simple prevalent superstitions like which side of bed one gets down in the morning decides course of the day or how sacred threads can ward off epilepsy or the evil eye. It directly goes into how tragedy leads to god fearing attitudes and how self proclaimed spiritual gurus and god-men manipulate these very fears. I don’t wish to give away the plot of the play.

The entire play is very entertaining and dialogues are full of pun and irony but they don’t directly mock or ridicule the fears of the common man. Humour is very subtle which makes it impactful.

The final act of the play when the protagonist decides to start addressing fears and superstitions of one’s own family members backed with evidence is worth applauding. Like he says – charity must begin at home, so scientists and students of science have a huge responsibility to bring society out of the tunnel of fear.

All characters were well portrayed by scientists and students including that of the dubious god-man. The play reminded of movies like Ganashatru, Kapurush O Mahapurush made by the great film maker Satyajit Ray. The decadence of our society is unbelievable. It was more evident as the play was staged at the iconic Asiatic Society, Kolkata at the end week long History of Science workshop. The legacy of great scientific men of this city is indeed exemplary and it is our duty to uphold this scientific legacy and inheritance.

Don’t miss this play by Mukhosh. Follow them on Facebook to know about their new shows or better still invite them to your institutions, housing community halls and events.