Highlighting the actual development of the country, Hindi play Jahajin was staged on the sixth day of National Drama festival. The play was staged at Antrang Hall Bharat Bhavan, here on Tuesday.
Directed by Randhir Kumar, the playwright was done by Rajesh Chandra and was wonderfully staged by artistes of Raga Theatre Group, Patna. Notably, this play brings about an analysis and discussion of the development of the country as suggested by our rulers. The strongly written script raises questions on the relevance of building huge dams, mines, factories, wild life sanctuaries, gas pipe lines.
Director of the play Rajesh Chandra said, “All the development work being carried out is good, but are they actually for the welfare of the people at large and if so what is the explanation behind their opposition by large sections of the society, is it not destruction of life and property, human rights violation and displacement of people from one place to another, in the name of developmentIJ”
The play further raised questions like is our society equal to allIJ Are the needs and access to resources same for allIJ The answer is no. Needs and aspirations of different people are different. Rich people favor big dams and factories as they reap benefits from them. But people used as sacrificial goats for this purpose have no option but to oppose them, can no development take place without displacementIJ Why cannot development and displacement be complementary to each otherIJ
Displacement and development should happen with the agreement of all the people and not just of a few selected beneficiaries who support this unjust model of growth for their own selfish needs. Jahajin is a beautifully written Hindi play. The mature acting skills of the artistes, lighting design and the poetic extracts used from Muktibodh, Dhumil and Basheir Badra added more zeal in the presentation of the play. Having no proper story, the play has beautifully raised the question over the actual development of the country leaving the audiences enthralled and mesmerised with it.