Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Sept 25: Performa-nces of two iconic plays characterizing the genre of modern theatre idiom that evolved in 1980s and the contemporary meta-realism emerged as the highlight of the second day of the ongoing Natya Samagama organized by Sangeet Natak Akademy, New Delhi, in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
The first performance, Sidhi dar Sidhi urf Tukke pe Tukka, directed by veteran theatre director Bansi Kaul, was a satire as to how the fate of common people is held host by the idiosyncrasies of the ruling class being pandered by the mindless bureaucracy.
Written by Ratan Joshi and Bansi Kaul, and presented by Rang Vidhushak, Bhopal, the play revolves around Tukku, an illiterate son of a landlord who by a quirk of fate gets selected as a high govt officer. His stupid decisions are welcomed by the court. When rebels invade the palace and put an end to the nawab’s rule, the naya nawab who is highly impressed by Tukku makes him the next nawab.
Noticeable for strong visualization and design elements, the presentation style of the play using diverse folk elements and pronounced presence of Vidushaks (jesters), came out a musical theatre of laughter and celebration which was relished by the houseful audience. The performance of Uday Shahane who has been playing the role of Tukku since long, was impressive for the ease and unhurried dialogue delivery laced with potent pauses and subtle variations of the punch lines. Harsh Daud as Nawab was fantastic with supple dance like but effeminate movements. Amit Richariya as Nujumi, and Sanjay Shrivastava as Maskhara also gave notable performances. Leading the onstage music ensemble, Dr Anjana Puri as lead singer emerged as the mainstay of the melodic backdrop of the play.
The second play Yahaan, a rikh and Padatik, Kolkata, presentation, offered a novel theatrical experience to audience for its creative and innovative treatment of both subject as well as the form. Written, designed and directed by Vinay Sharma, the play which actually sans a linear narrative of story line, is about states of experiences, extended moments, an instant anubhuti which manifesting with airy lightness of a revelation seem to extend over times. The two women characters, like two intertwined souls, in their ruminations upon words\abstraction seem to deconstruct the aspects of time, space, binaries like light and dark, hidden and revealed. Sanchayita Bhattacharjee and Anubha Fatehpuria as women character gave masterly performance which along with excellent voice control was marked by fluid body movements and use of props. The creative light and music design though bordering on minimal added to the overall artistic effect of the production.
The day long folk art bonanza included performance of Surnai music, Armen Pather, Damali Dance, Phumniyaan dance, Chajja, and Jagarna by different folk parties from Jammu and Kashmir.
Tomorrow, along with performances of folk music and dance forms, the presentation of Balant Thakur’s acclaimed play “Bawa Jitto” will be followed by “Kanak Di Balli” directed by Kewal Dhaliwal.
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