A Hindi play Maati Gadi was staged here on Friday under the Dikshananda drama festival at Ravindra Bhavan Auditorium.
The play is an adaptation of a Sanskrit play Mricchakatika written by Hrishikesh Sulabh. Directed by Sanjay Upadhyay the play was presented by Madhya Pradesh Theatre Academy, Bhopal. Based on the love story of Charudutta and Vasantsena, the play shows an awful picture of the urge for power and for this a person can do anything. It is an Indian folk form of theatrical plays, presented in a traditional format leaving the audiences mesmerised.
Happily married and the recent father of a young son, Charudatta is charmed with Vasantasena, a courtesan of great wealth and reputation. After a chance encounter at the temple of Rama, she has found that she loves him in return, though the matter is complicated when Vasantasena finds herself pursued by Samsthanaka, brother-in-law of King Palaka. When the men threaten violence, Vasantasena flees, seeking safety with Charudatta.
Their love blossoms following the clandestine meeting and the courtesan entrusts her new lover with a casket of jewelry in an attempt to ensure a future meeting. Various incidents that took place in their venture formed rest of the story.Writer Hrishikesh Sulabh wrote it as Maati Gadi in Bhojpuri in the Bidesia style, the most popular theatre form in Bihar. Now, theatre director Sanjay Upadhyaya staged it in the Bidesia format.
Upadhyaya has turned it into a complete musical by bringing in the tabla, harmonium, dhol, sarangi and manjira. There are more than 20 songs in different gayaki styles. The audiences enjoyed the play whole heartedly. While talking to The Pioneer, director of the play Sanjay Upadhyay said, “This play is about love, betrayal and politics.” Elaborating further he said, “We have done various productions and have entertained the people. Maati Gadi is one of those productions,” he added contently.