Chasing Hares

Prab, a machine operator in a West Bengal factory, writes stories for his baby daughter Amba to survive the precarity and brutality of his job. When a popular actress recruits him to write a play, he uses it to expose the injustice of factory conditions and the rumours of child exploitation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2022
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Prab, a machine operator in a factory in West Bengal, faces a daily struggle to survive the precarity and brutality of his job. By night, he writes stories for his baby daughter, Amba, to provide her with a sense of hope and imagination. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when a popular actress recruits him to write a play for her. Prab sees this as an opportunity to expose the injustice of factory conditions and the rumours of child exploitation that plague his community. He delves deep into the lives of his fellow workers and discovers the truth behind the rumours.

As he writes the play, Prab becomes increasingly aware of the risks he is taking. He knows that his actions could jeopardize his future, his family, and even his own life. But he is determined to fight for change, no matter the cost.

The play, Chasing Hares, is a powerful tale of resistance and dignity in the face of global exploitation. It was premiered at the Young Vic Theatre in London in July 2022, directed by Milli Bhatia. Prab's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of storytelling to bring about change.

Through his play, Prab hopes to inspire others to stand up against injustice and fight for a better future. He believes that by working together, we can bring down the stag of global exploitation and create a world that is fair and just for all.

Dimension: 198 x 129 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839041013