Political satire ‘Raj Darbar’ marks beginning of three-day theatre festival

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, January 8

Bhartyendu Natya Academy Rangmandal began the three-day theatre festival at Punjab Naatshala with their political satire “Raj Darbar”. The festival is being organised in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Cultural Committee. Three plays on diverse themes will be presented during the theatre festival.

The play “Raj Darbar,” written by Sagar Sarhadi and directed by Arun Trivedi, is a direct comment on the contemporary social and political situation prevailing in the country. The play, with its cultural influences of the ancient Awadhi culture and traditions, had serious undertones, but actors with their quick witted dialogues and use of language, made it quite entertaining for the audience.

The story was presented through a common man’s perspective. The play is set in a kingdom with an autocratic king, who enjoys misusing his powers. He, along with his head priest, plans to fool his subjects by forming a fake court in the name of justice, but when his own officials take the high path of justice, he removes them up mercilessly. With numerous plots and twists, the play is considered one of the best from Sarhadi. Issues like feudalism, corruption, oppression of the poor and weak in society and superficial governance were all incorporated in the story.

The play had a few songs written and composed by Chitra Mohan. Jatinder Brar, playwright and owner Punjab Naatshala, said the narration and presentation of the play reminded every bit of the Lucknawi Natghar.

The play “Reflection Unknown”, based on Kamta Nath’s story “Sankraman” will staged on the second day of the theatre festival.