Founded by Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan (MNZM) 27 years ago, Indian Ink is now one of Aotearoa’s most successful theatre companies – winning 13 national and international awards, critical acclaim, standing ovations and sell out seasons. Since 1997 their original plays have enriched the lives of over 534,000 people. Alongside a whanau of multi-talented artists, Indian Ink creates vibrant, fresh, culturally diverse theatre that combines artful storytelling, mischievous wit and theatrical magic in a way that celebrates our differences and connects us through our shared humanity.
This show was inspired by Ernest Becker’s Pulitzer Prize winning “Denial of Death”, but it really found its form when Jacob and I were in Mumbai in 2019. There we discovered a city full of life, rich with diverse cultures and we learned of the plight of India’s vultures. It’s strange now to think that we don’t know when we’ll next be able to travel anywhere!
My view of vultures was formed by my western culture. I dismissed them as harbingers of death, brutishly ugly and to be feared. What I discovered was a creature whose most repulsive features are entirely functional, that does mankind an incredible service by cleansing the environment and in flight is one of the most magnificent birds on earth.
Becker argues that culture is designed to protect us from the reality of our mortality and in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition there’s a practice of meditating each day on your death. Strange ideas, but maybe by contemplating our mortality we can appreciate life more fully. Like the vulture, there is beauty to be found in the things we fear.
Nobody noticed the disappearance of India’s vultures until it was too late. It’s the fastest extinction of all time and I feel great sorrow at the loss of these wonderful birds. But I find hope in the way people from around the world are working to save them. Humans achieve incredible things through co-operation. That’s one of the reasons I love theatre – it’s a collaborative art form.
So, as we gather together in the theatre tonight, I am enormously grateful. In the words of Joni Mitchell “don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”
Enjoy the show.
Justin Lewis
In those early years I suffered from such an imposter syndrome that I would often use the programme notes to apologise in advance for causing offence. When writing a play, I’m necessarily led by my curiosity. I’m curious about things I don’t know about and then I research them and write about them as if I do. Which, of course, I don’t. Not really.
My apology on this occasion is to the Parsi community. If you haven’t heard of them, you’re not alone but I can almost guarantee that you’ve been influenced by at least one. Parsis have made an enormous contribution to India and the world. In politics, industry, medicine, finance, science, music, art and theatre this ethnic group has been extraordinarily influential out of all proportion to their numbers.
The eclectic bunch of Parsis portrayed in this play are entirely fictional and I hope cause no offense to a people I hold in extremely high regard.
If you’re reading this and happen to be Parsi I cling to one generalisation about your kin I dearly wish to be true: they have a great sense of humour.
Thanks for coming. I hope you enjoy the show.
Jacob Rajan
Kuitsar – salesman at Harvey Norman
Young Kutisar – a chai chat owner
Mehra – a Kulfi shop owner
Farooq – a Parsi lawyer
Dr Rao – a Parsi doctor
The Moneylender – a loan shark
Vibhu Prakash – a scientist specialising in vultures
The Denial of Death is a 1973 book by cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker. The book was awarded a Pulitzer Price posthumously.
Nine species of vulture can be found living in India, but most are now in danger of extinction
The Tower of Silence in Mumbai is a significant site for the Zoroastrian community
Kulfi is a frozen dairy dessert of the Indian subcontinent.
We sit down with Director and Co-writer of Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream Justin Lewis to get some behind the scenes thoughts on the…
We sit down with Performer & Co-writer of Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream Jacob Rajan to get some behind the scenes thoughts on the show.
We sit down with Puppeteer & Performer of Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream Jon Coddington to get some behind the scenes thoughts on the show.
Jacob is a founding partner of Indian Ink and co-wrote all of Indian Ink’s plays as well as performing in many of them. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama school, Otago University (B.Sc Microbiology) and Wellington Teacher’s College. Jacob is an Arts Foundation Laureate and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to theatre.
Jon is a theatre designer and collaborator, illustrator, animator and sculptor, but has been primarily working as a puppeteer and puppet maker for the past eight years. Highlights include hit show Puppet Fiction (2012-18) selling out everywhere it has performed.
Sam is the Director of ARC Productions. A talented designer and stage technician, his specialty lies in musical theatre and building bespoke technical systems to amplify storytelling in new and creative ways.
Will is a young talent, accumulating experience and production credits in a variety of technical disciplines. He is also studying to complete his Certificate in Entertainment, Event and Screen Production Technology.
Justin is a founding partner of Indian Ink. He has co-written and directed all of Indian Ink’s plays. He is a graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School and the University of Auckland.
Justin was one of the founders of Auckland’s Q Theatre and received a Kaupapa Oranga Award for his services to theatre.
Dramaturge for all of Indian Ink’s productions. Poet, critic and fiction writer, Murray has published many books. Worked for Living Theatre Troupe, Theatre Action, Half Moon Theatre (London), Town and Country Players (founder), and Mercury Theatre. Associate Professor (now retired) of Drama Programmes at Auckland University (1990-2014).
John has designed all of Indian Ink’s productions bar one. With over 40 years’ experience, John is a leading New Zealand stage designer with an extensive portfolio of work including productions with NZ Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre, The Large Group and many others.
Elizabeth has designed costumes for New Zealand Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, NZ Festival and Auckland Festival, Silo, Court Theatre, Red Leap and Okareka Dance, Black Grace, Douglas Wright Dance, Michael Parmenter, Atimira, NZ Dance Company and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She designed costumes for Pop-Up Theatre London for Edinburgh Festival.
David is an instrumentalist, improviser and composer for theatre and film, who has enjoyed a fruitful creative collaboration with Indian Ink for over 20 years. He has composed, performed and musically directed 9 of their shows, twice receiving “Most Outstanding Composer” at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards (Guru of Chai and Kiss the Fish).
Andrew has been a resident production manager with Indian Ink productions since 2017
Andrew is also the Director of Andrew Potvin Designs Ltd, specializing in producing and tour/production management for live events. With two decades of experience in the entertainment industry his portfolio of work spans across the globe including contracts in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the USA.
Andrew holds an MFA (AUT 14′) in International Tourism Management and a BFA (CALARTS 09′) in Theatre Design and Management.
Bala Murali is a writer, filmmaker and videographer based in Tāmaki Makaurau. He is also an inaugural Arts Foundation Springboard recipient.
JUDE FROUDE – General Manager PENE LISTER – Producer NAOMI CAMPION – Administration & Development Manager TE HUAMANUKA LUITEN-APIRANA – Next Gen Programme Leader CATHERINE YATES – Digital Marketer
Addington Law, Adele Mason, Ainsley Walter & Mark Stewart, Alison Blain, Andrea Crichton, Anne & John MacVicar, Anne Coney, Barbara Netten, Bev & Geoff Pownall, Bridget & Simon Tompkins, Chrissie Fernyhough, David Lowe, Debbie Cook, Deborah & Ross George, Denise & Paul Vujcich, Di Le Cren, Felicity & Ivan Willis, Fiona Taylor & John Gow, Gail & Stephen Hofmann, Georgie Knight, Gill & Brian Walker, Lady Gillian & Sir Roderick Deane, Hanna Scott & Craig Anderson, Hannah Maschler (Legacy donor), Helen Moody & Jeremy Edwards, Jane Cherrington, Janet Clarke & John Judge, Jasvinder Singh & Bryce Keith, Jenny & Andrew Smith, Jenny & Ray McElroy, Jill Oakley, Jo & John Gow, Jon Cadwallader, Kate & Hanlin Johnston, Laila Harré & Barry Gribben, Lancely & Jeffrey Law, Margaret Lee, Meena & Rohit Reddy, Mike Rudd, Pippa MacKay & Paul Stanley-Joblin, Dame Ranjna & Kanti Patel, Ravi & Prabha Ravi, R F Morrison, Rebecca Langley, Sondra Wigglesworth, Sue Haigh, Susie & Richard Rowntree, Trish & John Gribben, Valmai Shearer (in memoriam)
Ranjna Patel (Chair), Craig Anderson, Liz Miller, Karin Glucina, Helaina Keeley & Sehej Khurana
Jacob Rajan (Chair), Justin Lewis, Craig Anderson & Sehej Khurana
Our incredible patrons, funders, contractors, venue teams, interns, secondees and supporter without whom the show could not go on. And Susheela, Isaac, Dominic & Nina Rajan, Philippa Woods, Rachel Nash.
New Zealand playwright-performer Jacob Rajan explores mortality with an eerily lifelike vulture puppet
Auckland-based theatre artist Jacob Rajan has done something completely different as a cowriter and performer in an upcoming production at the Cultch.
“Jacob Rajan hands in an unforgettable performance in multiple roles, joined by a majestic vulture puppet”
