Highlighting the problems of the tribes, a Hindi play ‘Poster’ was staged here on Monday at Shaheed Bhavan Auditorium.
Written by Dr Shankar Shesh, the play was directed by noted theater actress Shalini Gupta. It is her directorial debut in theatre industry.
While talking about it Shalini Gupta said, “It is a production based workshop and this play is being prepared which will be staged to mark the conclusion of the workshop.”
The play depicts the fight for right by tribals in Madhya Pradesh. The tribals oppose the exploitation of the rights by landlords and government. The play was wondrously staged by the artists of Samantar Theatre Group, Bhopal.
‘Poster’ is an attempt to highlight the presence of discrimination in society between the haves and the have-nots. But the convener of the play who is a mad youth holds no barrier against such fears. He boldly challenges against the injustice brought by the rich section of the village. The question is not about who won and who lostIJ It’s about to take the initiative and raise the issue of injustice which holds its firm roots in the society.
The story begins with a Gothic tale where a saint recites this story to her followers.
There is a cruel landlord ‘Patel’ rules over the tribes. The tribes on the other hand are uneducated and don’t know the difference between right and wrong. Moreover, Patel has placed the posters of heaven and the hell at his workplace so that the labourers can work in fear.
Suddenly, a girl Chaiti returns from her maternal home with a colourful poster. Unknowingly what is written over it, they put up the poster between other posters. As soon as Patel sees the poster, he gives them a bonus.
Patel then tells Kallu to send his wife at Patel’s home for domestic work. Guruji stops Kallu and tells the villagers what is written in the poster. It talked about the rights of villagers. Slowly awareness spread all over and Patel was become helpless.
leaving an unfinished end, the play suggests the audience to make a judgment that how the unprivileged, unheard and downtrodden raise their voice and what happened to them.
The play was much enjoyed by the audience.