Hair the Musical comes to India

Hair, the cult Broadway rock musical that was a revolt against the establishment and a yearning for love, peace and individual freedom was staged in India for the first time in 2010. The musical was performed in Delhi before Commonwealth Games in 2010 with Indian actors and a local touch.

A collaboration between Indian, British and French artistes, the musical was brought to India by the Neemrana Music Foundation, and was staged at many venues in Delhi. Hair was performed at the Purana Quila (Old Fort) and the Garden of Five Senses.

Antoine Redon, the producer of the musical, was quoted saying that the message of Hair remains as relevant today as it was in the 70s: love, peace, joy and happiness but the means to reach them have been adapted to the twenty-first century.

The musical has long-haired actors, not only symbolic of the Hippies but also meaning to send out a message of non-conformity and standing upto authority and prevalent social norms.

Hair was performed to stress upon not only individuality but also equality, rights for the minorities and against conscription. The performance in India also talks about Gandhian values of peace as well as Buddhism.

Hair in the Indian context also showcases the search for inner peace. The musical established an instant rapport with the young music and art-loving crowd in Delhi.