Love story with a dash of mythology
DIWAN SINGH BAJELI
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"Prem Katha", which was presented by Sahaj Kala Manch at the LTG auditorium this past week, is an indictment of the expansionist designs of rulers.
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LOVE STORY A scene from the play "Prem Katha".
Based on a Panchtantra story, "Prem Katha", which was presented by Sahaj Kala Manch at the LTG auditorium this past week, indicts expansionist designs of rulers. At another level, it upholds the right of a disciple to rebel against his guru who perpetuates moribund feudal values. Spiced with a romantic element, the production keeps us engaged throughout.
The sparing use of slapstick beatings evokes humour. The mythological characters are painted in a way that invests the production with a contemporary ring.
Written by Vagish Kumar Singh, the play is directed by A. Vadhoo Aazad who has learnt various aspects of the theatrical art from the eminent theatre personality B.V. Karanth. Here in this play we meet a galaxy of characters drawn from various social strata, including the king and queen and two characters from mythology - Vishnu and his vahan Garud.
The two mythological characters are also used as sutradhars who comment on the human conditions prevailing in contemporary society and take part in the action towards the climactic scene to give a surprising twist.
Lonely princess
The main theme of the play is the infatuation of a young man for the princess who is sad and lonely. The king wants her to marry a great warrior powerful enough to conquer and annex the empire of his neighbouring kings.
Since a prince with a great army to fulfil his morbid ambition is difficult to find, the greedy, weak and inhuman king has confined his daughter - who is almost past the marrying age - in a solitary palace guarded by soldiers.
With no chance to meet the princess, let alone marry her, the lovelorn poor boy decides to commit suicide.
However, his bosom friend finds a way out that enables him to spend night after night surreptitiously with the princess in her palace. This sets further developments afoot.
The sets designed by Goldy Rawat are apt enough to project vital scenes effectively. However, the offstage music tends to be jarring at times.
The members of the cast are an uneven lot and some of them are unskilled.
However, those in the main roles give a good account of themselves. Shaahik Khan as the king caricatures his character admirably, offering amusement to the audience.
Another convincing performance is given by Mamta Sharma as the domineering queen who pokes fun at the weakness of the king.
The audience enjoys the way she lampoons a timid, selfish and witless ruler. Mukti Seni's princess is a naive girl who takes an ordinary youth in the guise of Vishnu for the real God and is not able to see through the impostor.
Endowed with a deep voice and stage presence, Mohan Rawat lives the roles of the sutradhar and Garud.
However, to leave a durable impact on the audience, he should endeavour to make his accent impeccable. Vijay Bharati as sutradhar number two and Vishnu acts with poise.
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
