 Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 10: Natrang's nationally acclaimed dogri play Mahabhoj staged here today at Bal Bhawan, Chandigarh in 15th National Theatre Festival which is considered to be the Asia’s largest Winter Theatre Festival. 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. The play was supported by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
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. The play deals both with the hawkish lust of human beings for power and tenacity of human race to stand up courageously against all odds.
Today's performance will be remembered for mind blowing acting, highly innovative direction and soulful music. The artists who performed in the play includes 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 it's live music which was creatively scored by Suraj Singh. Rakesh Kona was on rhythm and the lights of the play were designed and executed by Suraj Ganjoo.
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