Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Mar 30: Staging of a Hindi play “Sakharam Binder”, by Himachal Sanskritik Sansthan from Mandi, marked the third day of ongoing Theatre Festival 2013, organized by North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages, here today.
Directed by Suresh Sharma, one of Vijay Tendulkar’s most controversial plays, ‘Sakharam Binder’, tells the story of the book-binder Sakharam who takes home a series of women after they have been thrown out of their homes by their respective husbands.
In return for providing shelter, Sakharam exploits the women by getting them to perform household tasks and occasionally, for sexual favours. The play opens with the seventh woman Laxmi who is docile and timid by nature. After exploiting her for a few days, Sakharam throws her out and brings the next woman Champa who is flamboyant and head-strong. Things get complicated after a few days when Laxmi returns. What follows is a succession of unexpected events which culminate into a dramatic end.
The theatre group from Mandi, which has already performed this play in national festivals like Bharat Rangmahotsva, in its 49th production today, gave a good performance. Especially noticeable was the above average performances by actors which included National School of Drama, New Delhi, pass out Suresh Sharma in role of Sakharam, Mohni Mishra as Lakshmi, Krishna as Champa, Subhash Chandra as police man and Prasanna as the Muslim character.
The spare yet tellingly detailed set, with its glimpse of the yard outside the cottage, was particularly particularly praiseworthy. Light design with minimum use of spots and equally effective background music was other highlights of the play that was appreciated by the audience.
Tomorrow, on the last day of NZCC Theater Festival 2013, Natrang’s Dogri play Baba Jitto, directed by Balwant Thakur would be staged.
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