For Chekhov, Socrates, head to Delhi Natya Utsav

Delhi Natya Utsav, a five-day theatre festival beginning Jan 20, will see plays based on Russian writer Anton Chekhov's short stories, Greek philosopher Socrates' struggles, and a love story set in the time of the Second World War.

The festival is organised by the Sahitya Kala Parishad and Delhi government's department of art, culture and languages.

Ranjit Kapoor's "Chekhov ki Duniya" will open the festival with a collection of six short stories by the Russian writer, depicting the fragility of human relationships.

A play by director Avijit Dutt, called "Abducting Diana" is a chaotic, comic account of the bungled abduction of a millionaire media boss.

"Love in the Time of Oppression" by Faizal Askazi is a heart-warming story of a woman's courage, self-sacrifice, imprisonment, exile and redemption, spanning sixty years in the life of a character called Magda.

"Barefoot in Athens" by Raj Bisariya revolves around Greek philosopher Socrates' life, while K.S. Rajendranan's "Aurangzeb" is a theatrical account of the life and times of the Mughal emperor.

The plays will be staged at Sri Ram Centre for Art and Culture.