Sahitya Kala Parishad, the esteemed Art, and Cultural Wing of the Delhi Government, is thrilled to announce the successful continuation of the Bharatmuni Rang Utsav on its second day. The festival, running from January 22nd to 25th, 2024, at the LTG Auditorium, Mandi House, has already left a lasting impression after a captivating opening day that set the stage for an unforgettable celebration of theatre and culture.
The inaugural day of the festival witnessed a mesmerising blend of talent, showcasing four riveting solo and group acts. It was an evening to remember as the performers skillfully displayed a wide range of emotions, and the audience was in awe of it.
Day Two of Bharatmuni Rang Utsav proved to be equally enthralling, featuring outstanding plays that left the audience in awe. The first act of the evening was the play ‘Espresso,’ scripted by the talented Somyabrat Bhattacharya and masterfully directed by Shilpi Marwaha. The play showcases two individuals from different societal backgrounds. A middle-aged man, yearning for heartfelt conversations buried beneath ingrained prejudices, meets a young waiter at a coffee shop. As their encounter unfolds, the waiter grapples with discomfort, setting the stage for a poignant exploration of shattered barriers. Amidst the aroma of coffee, emotions simmer to consume them both.
Later, the audience was taken on a journey with ‘Bebaak Manto,’ a powerful play written by Saadat Hasan Manto and skillfully directed by Anil Sharma, founder of one of Delhi’s theatre groups. The play revolves around Sugandhi, a good-hearted prostitute. Exploited materially and emotionally by men, Sugandhi craves love and acceptance. Her earnings are spent on her lover, Madho, who, despite benefiting fully, lectures on her need to give up her trade. A single incident, where Sugandhi faces rejection, triggers a crisis. The insult unveils a growing void, and in a haunting silence, Sugandhi tries to fill the void in vain. The closing illustration compares her to a train that has just finished unloading passengers and is now alone in an iron shed. ‘Bebaak Manto’ delves into the complexities of Sugandhi’s journey, leaving her in profound silence. Anil Sharma’s expert direction brought Manto’s words to life, leaving the audience spellbound.
The evening continued with ‘Bijuka,’ a creation by the legendary Satyajit Ray and Rajesh Bali, directed by the accomplished Rajesh Bali, who is an alumnus of the National School of Drama. He began his career as an actor and later started working as a scriptwriter and director. He has, so far, conducted about 80 theatre workshops and directed more than 50 plays. The play unfolds the story of Mriganko Babu, a renowned writer, who got stranded in a paddy field as he was on his way to Panagarh. He meets a scarecrow that imitates the speech of his mistreated servant, Abhiram. Mriganko feels a shudder go through him as he sees how unfairly Abhiram has been accused of stealing. The play delves into the repercussions of this wrongful accusation in an emotionally charged narrative.
The grand finale of the night was marked by ‘Bimb,’ a play based on the story ‘Raazinama’ by Vijaydaan Detha that has been conceived and adapted by Diwakar Naveen Diwakar in an experimental way. Naveen Divakar is a renowned theatre artist, director, and playwright. Founder of Delhi’s one of renowned theatre group, he excelled in directing, writing, and composing diverse plays. The play tells the story of a village boy’s search for empowerment via education while exposing the issues associated with the current educational system. The youngster struggles with social expectations while living in a hostel and being forced to educate himself under pressure. Seeking solace, he shares his thoughts with his reflection, exposing societal judgements and pressures. The play unfolds as an emotional journey, reflecting prevailing societal complexities.
As we reflect on the success of Day Two, Bharatmuni Rang Utsav promises even more cultural delights in the upcoming days. With two more days filled with captivating performances, the festival remains committed to its mission of nurturing hidden talents and providing a platform for the flourishing of the theatrical arts.