Other States - Orissa   

Theatre addresses core issues of liberalisation

Photo: Lingaraj Panda

A scene from the play ‘Na Manjur’ staged in Berhampur on Sunday night. —

BERHAMPUR: ‘Na Manjur’ an experimental play to make the common mass understand the exploitation in the name of ‘liberalisation’ was enacted in the city on Monday night.

The amateur theater group ‘Ganasanskruti Prachar Manch’ performed this play at a function organised by the People’s Trust at the Saheed Laxman Nayak hall. It was a hard hitting satire on the propaganda that is being made by the supporters of liberalisation at the behest of imperialistic forces. The play was written by Ali Kishore Patnaik, a State secretariat member of the CPI (M), who is also related to the people’s theater movement in Orissa.

Mr. Patnaik said he had drawn inspirations from a Hindi play ‘Nahi Kabul’ of 2001 to write the play in accordance to the Oriya psyche. Noted theater director Nikhilananda Mahapatra directed the play.

The whole issue of ‘liberalisation’ and the exploitive intentions of imperialistic forces hidden behind it were depicted through metaphors and interludes of parodies through mimes. It used folk tunes from traditional folk theater of Ganjam district like Bharat Lila and Gahana.

The satirical play started with the president of America reaching India. A competition between two major political forces of the country started to appease the American ruler whom they thought to be ruler of the world. The audience could easily understand that the BJP and the Congress were being represented on stage.

The president of America started demanding and the rival political forces started handing out everything to him.

They even said everything was for sell and they knew how to provide a sugary coat to the pain that the common men felt through high sounding economic theories. When there was nothing left in India to be sold out, they even proposed to sell off the national flag that was hoisted on August 15 at Lal Quilla to mark independence as an antique piece. This act of the political leaders led to a public uprising, which was the last note of the play.

Mr. Patnaik even tried to explain how the anti-India nuclear deal and Hyde Act of America are a threat to the sovereignty of our country in easy satirical metaphors. The other issues like commercialisation of education, exploitation of farmers which leads to their suicide, destruction of local culture, PDS system and food security were also part of the play.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sunstroke claims three lives in Orissa
Literary event held
Ranihat School wins cricket tourney
Theatre addresses core issues of liberalisation
Charges against Marik: probe officer appointed
One killed as bus hits van
Experts suggest steps for protection of tiger habitats
New software for better management skills
Credit plan released
Tribal meet
State reeling under severe heatwave
Lawyers of Ganjam Bar Association divided on reopening of courts

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu