Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Feb 9: A touching portrayal of the present day dismal life of once important social group of Mirasis, the hereditary bards, was admirably presented by Kalander Theatre group from Rajasthan, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
Written and directed by Sikander Khan, who himself comes has a Mirasi lineage, feeling sorry for the contemporary plight has penned down the play ‘Bhanwarya Kallet’. The plot revolves around two Mirasi brothers, who are forced to take up lowliest jobs and are living the life of rag pickers and of thievery. The elder brother loves his dimwitted and mute younger brother. In their state of destitution, marginalization, elder brother remembering his past lineage, often sings and dances. The brothers give shelter to a character who suspects the duo to have stolen a box of explosives entrusted to him by a terrorist. The dimwitted brother fiddles with the explosive and is killed. Thus elder brother is left grieving.
The stark realism of today’s presentation was affected through the efficient set design and layout. The scattered ‘kabad’ of PET bottles, cardboard cartons, discarded electronic parts, iron trunks, plastic items—created an immediate connect with the characters’ state of destitution.
The actual experience of the members of the cast living with Mirasis for a period of time certainly has helped the actors. Who effortlessly recreated the daily routine and mannerism of the rag pickers on stage. The acting and live music and song sequences reflected the predicament of traditional artistes who bereft of patronage are forced to live in inhuman conditions. Skindar Khan through his moving play and certainly succeeded in highlighting the callousness of the society in taking care of the once important social group of traditional bards.
Tomorrow, as the ninth production of the ongoing international theatre festival organized by Nutan Prayas Manch, ‘Theatre Village’ from Nepal will present play, ‘The Confessions’ based on Sabiti by Jagdish Ghimire.
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