A Hindi play describing the plight of women, Balkan Women, was staged here on Sunday at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan. The play was staged under the guest performance organised by Rangmandal wing of Bharat Bhavan. Directed by renowned playwright and director of the theatre industry Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha, the play was wonderfully presented by the artistes of Neepa Theatre Group, lucknow.
The play depicted the plight of women and the atrocities they are subjected to in times of war. The play takes the audience to the time in history when Yugoslavia was undergoing partition. A bloody civil war was taking place between Christians and Muslims in Bosnia. Amina and her daughter Samira are interrogated by lt. Blako, a Muslim-hater, and subordinate of Colonel Herak who had once been involved with Amina and was SamiraRs s biological father.
Worried about her daughterRs s safety, Amina asks Herak for help and he employs Samira as a housekeeper at his residence. Over time the two develop a warm relationship, until one day Samira receives news about the brutal killing of her father and brother, and other atrocities against the Muslim community. To avenge this, she gives poisoned coffee to Col. Herak.
Amina tells a shocked Samira that Col. Herak is her biological father. A repentant and grieving Samira is looked upon as a daughter by a dying Col. Herak. Both mother and daughter are later killed by the new chief of the camp.
The wondrous background, the correct use of Urdu and Hindi language and the matured and captivating acting style were the major attractive elements of the play. In some scenes lights played a major role in creating the mood and ambience in the hall. It was a treat for the theatre lovers to watch the play Balkan Women.