Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Dec 3: The sheer narrative power of Girish Kanard’ acclaimed play Nagamandala, woven from two Indian folk tales filled with magic and mysticism, kept the audience engrossed despite Natyakarmi ‘s average presentation staged as 18th play of ongoing Annual Theatre festival, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
The plot of the story revolved around Rani-a young wife neglected by her unfaithful and abusive husband. After the love potion given by a blind woman to entice her husband is partaken by a snake-Nagaraj, he is love-smitten. snake (Naga). Who impersonating as Rani’s husband and makes love with her during night visits. When she becomes pregnant, her husband brands her unfaithful. She, as suggested by the Nagaraj, proves innocence by putting her hand in the Snake Hill. After coming out unscathed, she is treated as a ‘devi’ by villagers. Her husband also starts respecting her.
Today’s presentation directed by Vijay Kapoor came out as an average one owing to feeble production design: The nearly inanimate four ‘jyotis’, static narrator under the tree, loud background score, and physically labored on-stage movements of the main male lead Tapeshshwar Dutta on the awkwardly leveled set.
The saving grace was the performance by Ritu Manhas as Rani who very well expressed torment of a married woman left to the mercy of abusive husband and her latter-day transformation when Nagaraj fulfills her physical and psychological needs. The dance sequences were also well presented.
Others who gave good performances included Shwetambry Sharma as Blind Women, Neeraj Sharma as her son. Pankaj Handoo as Nagaraj for his get-up and slithering dance-like movements. Master Jatin as ‘Dog’ exhibited great stage sense. Other actors were Sanjana as Kahani, Pari, Mehak, Simran as ‘jyotis’, Sunil Raja and Omkar Sharma.
Music was by Surinder Manhas, make-up by Shammi Dhamir, lights by Suraj Ganjoo, set by Virjee Sumbli, choreography by Rohit Bains. Ritu Mahas also assisted in direction.
Tomorrow, Mohan Rakesh’s Adhe-Adhure will be staged by Yamini Cultural Society.
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