Bhishm Sahani’s written story ‘Chief Ki Dawat’ was staged at Shaheed Bhavan on Thursday. The play marked the conclusion of Bhishm Sahani Smriti Samaroh 2019.
The play was directed by Mridula Bharadwaj. The story is about Shamnath, a middle-level executive eager to ingratiate himself with his boss to climb the corporate ladder.
He invited his American boss and some senior colleagues for dinner at home. He and his wife are busy making preparations for the perfect evening. Shamnath is a fastidious person and wants to make the most perfect arrangement for the party. However, there is a problem, his mother.
Shamnath thinks she is backward, inarticulate, and clumsy and he is keen to avoid any contact of his mother with the guests. He thinks it would be severe embarrassment for him if the guests, specially his American boss chance upon her. Instructions are given to her to hide during specific times during the evening depending on where the guests would be at that time.
She is forbidden to go to her room and sleep as her snores would disturb the party. As her misfortune would have it, despite all her efforts she falls asleep. The chief sees her and engages her in small chat about Punjabi folk traditions, music and handicrafts. He is interested in Phulkari, the traditional embroidery from Punjab. Mother feels very guilty at having come in the way and she regrets spoiling the chances of Shamnath’s career with her rustic ways. After that what happens formed rest of the story.
The mono-act was performed wonderfully leaving the audience mesmerised. The audience laughed their heart out as they watched the play