[LifeStyle] Grandeur and disillusionment mark the opening of Shiela Bharat Ram Theatre Festival

[FRIDAY THE 13]

Grandeur, political allegory, disillusionment, psychological warfare and idealism marked the opening of Shiela Bharat Ram Theatre Festival, earlier known as the Shri Ram Centre’s Summer Theatre Festival, in New Delhi as actors brought to life the timeless play Tughlaq, written by actor-playwright Girish Karnad.

Written in 1964 and set in the 14th century, the play had an uncanny resonance with the current times, with the titular character Mohammad Bin Tughlaq’s idiosyncratic persona and whimsical demeanour at the expense of his subjects led the audience to take note of how autocratic tendencies can bring to naught an entire kingdom. This was the reason why the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (SRCPA) chose this play to open its five-day theatre festival (June 15-19), which happens every year in the month of June.

“The emotions and intrigue that Tughlaq brings out in the audience marks it apart from other plays. As the play unfolds, viewers realise that the problems and issues that it talks about remain the same in contemporary times as well. This is why it is timeless, everyone can identify with it,” Hemant Bharat Ram, executive director of the SRCPA told The Indian Express.

The play, directed by thespian K Madavane, who has a mastery in the art of blending creative imagery with the narrative in the text, has been performed innumerable times previously by the Shri Ram Centre in its theatre festivals.

Tughlaq, comprising 13 scenes, traces the journey of the 14th-century emperor Mohammad Bin Tughlaq as he sways between generosity and moronity, taking decisions that are bound to wreak havoc on his wretched subjects —shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, introducing a new currency of copper coins, checkmating benign people and awarding enemies.

Had it not been for the commendable directorial acumen of showcasing the spectacle of regal grandeur dotted with synchronised choreography, spot-on music, near-perfect lighting, the three-hour-long play would have not been as impactful. The striking performances of some of the actors, especially Manish Sharma (Mohammad Bin Tughlaq), Nisha Upadhyay (Ammi), Ashutosh Singh Rathore (Aziz) and Ayush Sharma (Azam), who brought to life the complex characters with ease and assertiveness, made the whole experience an audiovisual treat. However, the overall serious narrative gave ample space to let out a hearty laugh, especially when the two thugs, Azam and Aziz, narrated the stories of their loot.

Towards the end of the 10th scene, after catching just a glimpse of the futility of all his deeds, when Tughlaq says, ‘Aye mere aaka mera haath thaam le. Mai bhatak gaya hu mere maalik! (Hey my lord! Hold my hand, I am lost, my almighty), the anguish floating over stage spills over into the audience, making the latter an important entity in the overall presentation of the play.

The play itself, originally published in Kannada, has over the years become a cult classic and considered a rite of passage for theatre artists. “Being able to perform any character in Tughlaq is an achievement in itself,” said Manish Sharma. Sharma, who used to perform the role of Najib in the show, also talked about the process of getting into the skin of such a complex character, which he performed for the very first time, “It was really difficult. I don’t think I even touched 20 per cent of the internal conflicts of Tughlaq. The first thought that came into my mind after being cast was, ‘I won’t be able to do it’..it got easier as I went into the process. I used to go to the Tughlaqabad Fort to create the environment. Once that was done, learning dialogues became easier.”

Despite the fact that the actor received a standing ovation for his performance, the first thing he felt after the show ended was “sab kuch toh choot gaya, maine kiya kya” (I left everything. What did I even do?)

Even as the ball got rolling with Tughlaq, the Shri Ram Centre has several noted productions lined up—Girish Karnad’s Agni aur Barkha (June 16), Ram Dayal Sharma’s Daaku Sultana (June 17), Asghar Wajahat’s Mahabali (June 18) and Manav Kaul’s Prem Kabootar (June 19). Daaku Sultana and Mahabali are new to the festival.

The Summer Theatre Festival showcases the productions by Shri Ram Centre’s repertory, whereas the winter Theatre Festival, Panna Bharat Ram Theatre Festival, invites plays from across the country to be performed in Delhi.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/tughlaq-opening-shiela-bharat-ram-theatre-festival-src-girish-karnad-8669164