The mythological story, blended with the spontaneous performance was all about the closing ceremony of National Theatre Festival 2015.
The fest concluded here on Monday with the play ‘Agni Aur Barkha’ staged at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan. Notably, the fest included various wondrous performances and plays staged under one roof which mesmerized the theatre buffs a lot.
Agni Aur Barkha was directed by Rani Balveer Kaur and was performed by the artists of Tagore Drama Repertory, Chandigarh.
The plot of the drama is fascinating interplay of ancient myths recorded in Mahabharata, revolves around characters like Pravasu, eldest son of sage Raibaya involved as head priest in seven year long yagna for rain and has even forsaken his wife Vishakha. The discard felt by his father, cousin Yavakri adds new dimension to the story.
The play begins with a yagna being performed to impress lord Indra and protagonist of the play Pravasu, now a sage is living far away from his home in forests. As he was returning from the forest, he falls for a girl Nittilai. After the mutual decision by Panchayat they both were about to get married, but destiny had something else store for them.
On the wedding day Pravasu’s younger brother, Yavakri who is in love with a tribal girl calls Pravasu to meet him. As Pravasu visit Yavakri he is astonished to see that Pravasu’s sister in law (Brother’s wife) is with Yavakri. Seeing this Pravasu’s father with the use of his magical powers ask a demon to appear and kill Yavakri. With all these sequences happening at the other end, Pravasu was unable to get married to his love Nittilai and as a consequence Panchayat takes another decision for her.
Well thought out production design along with elements of ingenious cultural tradition, not only provided a classical setting to the production but also enliven the well crafted theatrical situations and moments.
Having the distinct stamp of a renowned and experience playwright Rani Balveer Kaur, was marked by clearer use of best theatrical aspects in terms of acting, light and, groupings with a unique mix of folk and classical, background music that emerged as impressive tools of the theatrical genre adapted for the play.
The theatre buffs witnessed an overwhelming performance giving a grand closure of National Theatre Fest.