 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 8: Natrang's nationality acclaimed Dogri play Mahabhoj staged here today at Abhinav Theatre Jammu. Based on a Hindi novel of the same name by Manu Bhandari, this play has been adapted in Dogri by Prof R N Shastri and directed by Balwant Thakur has already made a mark at the national level and is being considered one of the most experimental play of contemporary times.
Earlier the director of the play Balwant Thakur who is currently working as Cultural Diplomat of India to South Africa addressed the gathering and shared at length his experiences about working in the international arena and the comparisons of cultural developments in developed nations with India.
The play Mahabhoj revolves around the agricultural labourers of 'SAROHA' who bear the brunt of the wrath of their landlord for raising voice against his atrocities. In a gruesome act of arson, their settlements are torched and nine innocent lives are lost. "Beesu", a fiery young man is murdered in a dastardly act and a bold voice is strangulated. The murder of 'Beesu' is sensationalized and every political party is out to earn maximum mileage out of it as elections are round the corner.
The Media magnifies this tragedy beyond proportions. The Chief Minister, Da Sahib, mastermind behind the murder, uses this murder as a weapon to silence his opponents and suppress internal unrest within party ranks. The hurt sentiments of people of 'Saroha' are nursed by installing a Cottage Industry Project, thus, providing employment opportunities. A fresh inquiry is ordered into Beesu's murder.
The politics of power plays its dirty game once again and truth becomes a casualty. 'Binda' a friend of Beesu and a crusader, is falsely implicated and arrested.
Today's performance will be remembered for mind blowing acting, highly innovative direction and soulful music. Suresh Kumar, Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Vikrant Sharma, Subash Jamwal, Mohd. Yaseen, Meenakshi Bhagat, Vrinda Sharma, Sanjeev Gupta, Sushant Singh, Gopi Sharma, Mahikshit Singh and Sumit Raina .
The most noteworthy part of the play was its live music which was creatively scored by Suraj Singh. |
