The Natya Roop 2013 concluded with ‘Manto ki Teen Kahaniyan’ here on Friday at Antrang Hall, Bharat Bhavan.
Three short stories of an eminent writer Saadat Hassan Manto were staged on the concluding day of the five-day theater festival. All the three plays were directed by noted directors in the world of theatres.
The first play ‘Baadshahat Ka Khatma’ was directed by Badrul Islam, second play, ‘Ek Khat’ by Umesh Pandey and the last one ‘Sadak Ke Kinare’ was directed by NK Panth.
All the three plays were splendidly performed by the artists of Abhigyan Roop Theatre Group, Mumbai.
The first play ‘Baadshahat Ka Khatma’ is one of the exceptional creations of Manto. It is a story that revolves around a man who accidently falls in love with a girl through a telephonic conversation. The boy and girl begin a relationship that included many hilarious situations.
Now, a day was decided, when both of them would meet, to see each other and to talk face to face for the first time. But, as every good thing comes to an end at sometime, this relationship also ended that day. The boy died on the day of meeting and the girl kept waiting.
The audiences were enthralled to watch the play as it had a different essence and with different presentation.
The second play ‘Ek Khat’ is also a love story that starts with a letter. This play depicts the most important relationship of one’s life, friendship. Ek Khat showcases Manto’s platonic character.
The character falls in love with a shepherd girl in Batote but never wanted anything from her in return.
As the boy expressed his love in a letter, he asks his friend to give the letter to the girl. But, soon he find out that his friend is making fun of the letter.
The boy get depressed as no one understands his feelings and the play ends here.
The last play Sadak ke Kinare story pertains to a woman, who after being use by the society in some way or the other passes through a time of rigorous pain and leaves her new born-baby on the roadside. This play defines the pain and low status of women in the society till now.
All the plays had a running duration of 20 minutes, each holding a message and essence of Manto’s writing. The stage was not hugely set up, but was divided into three different sections according to the plays’ requirements.
Moreover the lighting effect added more zeal in the presentation as the performances were able to grab the applause of the audience