Broadway musical 'Hair' to rock with Gandhian values

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) 'Hair', the cult rock musical that explored the theme of hippie movement in the US, is set to make its debut in India, mixed with Gandhian values.

The credo of the characters of the 1967 musical is - 'Be free, no guilt, be whoever you are, do whatever you want, just as long as you don't hurt anyone.'

The group believes that though their message remains the same as it was 40 years ago, a new feel has been added to it to connect to today's youth.

'Today, the message of 'Hair' remains as relevant as it was in the 70s: love, peace, joy and happiness but the means to reach them have been adapted to the 21st Century. If the intention of 'Hair' then was to make outer revolution to stop wars, the intention of 'Hair' now is to make inner revolution,' Antoine Redon, the producer of the musical, said in a press release.

'World peace cannot be achieved without first achieving inner peace. How to face wars? How to behave in the face of opposition? Are love and non-violence not the best weapons? 'Hair' 2010 will thus advocate the Gandhian values of 'ahimsa' and 'satyagraha' in his native land,' Redon added.

'Hair' tells the story of the 'tribe', a group of politically active, long-haired hippies living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. It will be staged at The Garden of Five Senses here April 23, 26 and 27.

While the screenplay and lyrics are written by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, the music is by Galt Mac Dermot.

The performance will feature Indian actors such as Ankur Sabharwal, Samara Chopra, Rajeev Khati, Arjya Majumdar, and Tritha Sinha.

The Broadway musical is a preview to the full-length performance to be held in the capital again in October to coincide with the Commonwealth Games 2010.