The culture and folk art of Baghelkhand was showcased to the Bhopalites here on Monday under the play ‘Chhahur’.
Staged at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan, the play marked the fifth day of Madhya Pradesh Rang Mahaotsav organized under Rangmandal repertory, Bharat Bhavan. The play was directed by Anand Mishra and was presented by the artists of Saghan Society for Culture and Welfare, Bhopal.
Notably, Chhahur is a prominent folk play of Baghelkhand, Madhya Pradesh written by Gomti Prasad Vikal and Babulal Dahiya. This play is particularly presented during the time of Diwali, mainly in the mid of Gopashtami. The interesting factor of the play is that it is performed in a musical form of theatre play.
Further the plot of the play follows the story of a boy names Chhahur and the ups and downs and changes his life go through.
The play begins with the worship of Goddess Sharda. Meanwhile, a boy takes birth in the village and is named Chhahur. As the time passes, Chhahur grows up and witnesses various changes in his life.
In that current year, the village suffers with worst drought, but still the king of the village asks his ministers to collect the taxes from the people. The ministers along with the chief superintendent visit the village and ask the villagers to pay to tax or they will face real bas consequences. Being pressurized by the King’s ministers the villagers pay the tax but, Chhahur stood against this injustice. As he does not pay the tax, King seizes all his buffalos and cows and as a consequence Chhahur’s family gets into a real trouble.
Now, Chhahur thinks of the plan and to get his buffalos and cows back he disguises himself and enters the King’s palace. At the palace Chhaur come across the princess Babuli and she appoints him to work at the palace. As he carries on with his plan, Bbauli falls madly in love with him and she asks Chahur to run away and get married. But, on the contradictory Chhahur denies her request and he promises Babuli that he will marry her in front of the society. At the end, Chhahur succeeds in his plan and the play ends with a happy note.
The folk music, costume and the stage craft remained the captivating elements of the play. Further, the language added much essence in the presentation.