For its 15th production, Naatak is presenting Where There's A Will, a play by modern playwright Mahesh Dattani concerning a dysfunctional family coping with modern society as it clashes with Indian patriarchy.

The group is eager to perform the play because of its highly comical and emotionally charged story, but even more so because it will feature an Indian language they have not yet performed in—English.

Over 26 languages and 200 dialects are spoken throughout India, rendering many regions' languages unintelligible to others. Subsequently, English has emerged as a cross-regional language, becoming the binding language of a diverse population.

With prominent playwrights such as Dattani, English is also making its mark on the Indian arts scene, replacing regional scripts with accessible stories written in English by Indian authors for Indian populations.

This progressive art movement was very attractive to Harish Sunderam Agastya, who is directing Where There's A Will, playing at West Valley College in Saratoga June 27, 28 and 29.

Agastya has been with Naatak since its founding seven years ago, participating as an actor and set designer and now as a first-time director. The troupe traditionally performs one play in Hindi and one play in Tamil each year, but Agastya felt the need for a new experience.

"I knew when I got a chance to direct, it would be a play in English," he says. English is "one language that unifies all of the Indian population. With this play, we have an opportunity to reach a greater part of the Indian community and the American community."

Agastya says he is "absolutely" excited about the potential audience this performance can reach. "I am very energized," he says.

Ranjita Chakravarty, who plays Sonal Mehta, the insipid wife in the play, says she considers English to be an Indian language. "We speak five different languages just in this room," she says pointing to her fellow actors during a rehearsal. "We would be out to lunch if we were speaking in Indian. English brings us all together."

For this production, the cast is smaller than usual, with only five characters. The actors, production manager and director meet several times a week, rehearsing steadily for eight to 10 weeks until opening night. The schedule can be stressful, given that most members have careers in engineering, software development or human resources and participate in Naatak only as a hobby.

Being in the theater group "is really nice," says marketing director Ashish Joshi. "Almost all of the people in the group have done theater in college. It is an outlet for us to be creative. All of us have a strong urge and desire to do theater."

Chakravarty says she "really enjoys" being in Naatak. "I wish I had more time in the day. It's a great group of people and we have fun. It's also a social outlet for whatever creative energy you have. We all do it because we have a passion—we do it for the love of it."

Compassion is also an important element in Naatak, as the group has donated proceeds to a variety of nonprofit organizations since its inception. The upcoming performance will benefit organizations promoting education in Indian populations, including Asha for Education, Association for India's Development, and Udhavam Karangal (Helping Hands).

Although donating is important, Agastya says the group "is not in it to necessarily raise money for charity. We are showcasing quality theater to an audience," he says. "I like to think we are more than an amateur theater group. We are a professional group, and I am very proud of what we have achieved."

This will be the fifth time Naatak has performed at West Valley College. Agastya says the troupe is happy to be back at West Valley, given the size of the stage and seating capacity. "We have a great relationship with Saratoga," he says. "We have been able to do a lot there. Our productions at West Valley have always been well-attended." Although Naatak's shows draw audiences from Oakland and Berkeley to San Jose and Sunnyvale, the group particularly enjoys situating itself in Saratoga.

"I think the Saratoga audience is specifically tuned into art," Agastya says. "And I'm excited to cater to those artsy needs of Saratoga."

Naatak will perform "Where There's A Will" at the West Valley College theater on June 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and June 29 at
6 p.m. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling Ashish Joshi at 408.732.1507, visiting www.naatak.com, or emailing will@naatak.com.