Theatre lovers in the city had a real treat on 7th.march as they watched a play, 'Bidesia', directed by noted theatre director Sanjay Upadhaya, an alumnus of National School Of Drama (NSD), under the aegis of Nirman Kala Manch.
Upadhaya is now the director of Bharat Kala Manch in Bhopal. The play was staged on the fourth day of the weeklong fourth Shashi Bhushan Smriti Natya Utsav-Majma 2013-14, organized by Raaga. The play is one of the best-known works of the NSD graduate and till date he has staged over 500 of its shows.
This play expresses the ache in the heart of Bhojpuri region of western Bihar, from where men have migrated or been forced to migrate since colonial times. Those who went to distant lands were called 'bidesia'. They left never to return, breaking all ties with their families.
Charismatic, talented writer-actor Bhikari Thakur had first played a play on this theme in 1917. Called Bidesia, it told the story of a young bride pining for her husband.
In the play, the lead characters were played by Shubhro Bhattacharya, Suman Kumar and Subhadra Singh. Suman is the 'Bidesia' who migrates to Kolkata in search of job leaving behind his newlywed wife, 'Pyarai Sundar', played by Sharda Singh. In Kolkata, he not only takes up a new job but also forgets his wife and enters into a new relationship. Shubhro is the 'Batohi' who ultimately manages to convince 'Bidesia' to come back home.
The play included vigorous dancing by two female impersonators, a humorous exchange between the 'sutradhars' who later became characters in the play, soulful songs by the bride and chorus songs that had the audience clapping. And, at the heart of it all, was a desolate woman whose only choice in life was to wait, and wait.
Incidentally, Thakur's play had spawned so many variations on the same theme that it soon acquired the status of an independent theatre form called Bidesia.
another socially relevant play - Museum of Species in Danger - will be staged by Being Association from Mumbai, said Randhir Kumar, the fest organizer. The play, focusing on Nirbhaya rape case, will be performed by a group of five girls.
source:TOI
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