Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Apr 6: The power of theatre to critique the contemporary socio-political maladies came wonderfully alive in Amateur Theatre Group’s presentation of Bannu Mian Bye Bye, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
Originally written by Harishanker Parsai and dramatized by Suman Kumar, the play in Hundustani emerged as a chronicle of our times wherein ‘we’ the citizens of the country have become mere spectators to the sinister machinations of politicians and media.
Admirably directed by young academically trained theatre director Ifra Kak, the story of the play revolved around one Bannu who is in love with married women Sanno, and wants to marry her. Notwithstanding his immoral resolve, a ‘Baba’ takes up his cause and asks him to sit on ‘anshan’. The ‘Godman’ gives a religious color to the issue and succeeds in agitating the general public to such an extent that political leaders, media and even the prime minster gets involved. Sanno is forced to come to Bannu but he passes away due to weakness.
Today’s production in which students from Students Cultural Council, University of Jammu working along with formally trained actors of Amateur Theatre Group, mounted the production after a month long process, was very much appreciated by the audience.
Noticeable aspects of the play was the candid manner in which dirty games of the politicians along with the ‘tamasha’ of media trials were exposed on the stage by young enthusiastic team of actors who exhibited an great amalgam of physical training and acting skills. The witty dialogues and sequences unfolded in unison in a well orchestrated production marked by appropriate sound and light design and background musical score. Such a play in which many truths are told in jest will surely attract audiences in its repeat performances.
The cast included Love Anand, Ravinder Kumar, Robin Raina, Mohammad Haneefa, Vivek Sangotra, Mohit Mehra, Kritika Sharma, Garav Taroch, Tovin Kumar, Puneet Kaur, Saurav Vrma, Sunil Sharma, Sundeedhi Sharma and Pankaj Sharma.
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