The Bhopalites witnessed the era of love and sorrows through a Hindi play 'laila Majnu'. The play was presented on the last day of series of theatrical events at Antrang Hall, Bharat Bhavan under Rangmandal wing.
Based on the legendry love story of laila Majnu, the play is directed by a noted theatre director and a graduate of National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi Anil Chaudhary. laila Majnu was staged by the artists of NSD Repertory Company, New Delhi. The performers showcased the mesmerizing act before the audience. The audience could feel the sorrow and pain of the lovers when they were departed.
The play was presented in a traditional folk style comprising dance and music. The artists performed the folk style leaving the theatre goers enthralled at the hall for one and a half hour. The play began with characters dressed in colourful attire introducing the storyline by singing a song in chorus and then enters the lead characters laila Majnu expressing their undying love for each other. The lead characters enter the stage by singing a song.
The family members came to know about their love and they tried to break their relationship. Both were departed and were forced to live without each other. laila's parents fixed her marriage with a noble man in another town and as soon as Majnu came to know about it he reached the town to save his love of life. The action scenes were also included in the play.
The sword fighting between Majnu and the enemies was presented so wonderfully going up with the music that the audiences could experience a real life action scene before them. The artists of Repertory Company depicted the story, the mood variations and emotions with perfect ease despite they had to deliver the dialogues while singing.
The play laila Majnu was an authentic nautanki and it was a treat for the art lovers. According to the director, this play was scripted for the urban audience with an aim to explain the essence of nautanki. As it was scripted for the urban theatre goers, therefore, some changes were made accordingly. last but not the least, the set and lighting of the play was kept colourful and was presented as the scene demanded.
