Celebrating the gifts of science, a theatrical and musical event was organised by AISECT University. Two plays ‘Galileo’ and ‘Main Nadi Ansu Bhari’ were brilliantly staged at the multi art centre of Bharat Bhavan.
The plays were staged as a part of a two-day event that kicked off here on Friday. The event began with a lot of fervour at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan. The evenining began with the play Galileo.
It is based on the masterpiece by German playwright and theatre artist Bertolt Brecht. Directed by Manoj Nair, the play was beautifully presented by the artists of Shadow Mime Group, Bhopal.
Narrating the life of a great scientist Galileo, the play unfurls the struggles faced by him. It highlighted the lifespan of Galileo. Galileo, an eminent professor and scientist in the 17th century is short of money. A prospective student tells him about a novel invention, the telescope, that is being sold in Amsterdam. Galileo replicates it, and offers it to the Republic as his own creation. He gains an increase in his salary, but within a short time his ruse is discovered.
Galileo then uses the telescope for careful observations of the Moon and the planets, and he discovers the moons orbiting Jupiter. His observations strongly support Nicolaus Copernicus' heliocentric model of our Solar System, which is counter both to popular belief and to the doctrine of the powerful Roman Catholic Church. He furthermore publishes in vernacular Italian, rather than traditional scientific latin, thus making his work and conclusions more accessible to the common people.
Galileo is brought to the Vatican in Rome for interrogation by the Inquisition. Upon being threatened with torture, he recants his teachings. His students are shocked by his surrender in the face of pressure from the church authorities.
The play was translated by eminent Hindi poet Santosh Choubey.
Next play was ‘Main Nadi Aansu Bhari’, which showcased the plight of the rivers in India. How humans are destroying the rivers is all about the play. It was also directed by Manoj Nair.