Superstitious beliefs are like parasites that are eating up the whole system. These beliefs are a reason to destroy an individual’s personality. Giving an insight of what life is like in villages and till what extend superstitious can destroy a person’s life, a Hindi play ‘Daayan’ was staged.
The play was performed on Wednesday at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan marking the grand closure of Madhya Pradesh Theatre Festival 2017. Directed by Nizam Patel the play was performed by the theatre artists of Maahi Socio Cultural theatre troupe, Bhopal.
Dayaan is a story that took the audience to a voyage with reality-check of the society. The plot of the play is set in a village affected by drought. The poor are suffering with the drought and the children are dying.
Meanwhile, all the evils of nature are happening in the village, there is a married woman who works in the cemetery. She is looked down upon as she lives near the cemetery; she is believed to be a Daayan by the villagers.
As children started to die in the village, the villagers put all the blame on the woman as they think she is a Daayan.
The villagers started to blame her, abuse her and wanted to throw her out of the village, because they all were blindfolded with their superstitious belief.
The entire story revolves around what happens with her when she was not supported even by her husband. Through the play the writer questions the society, the superstition prevailing and the loss of humanity.
The play also gives the audience a lot to reflect upon and think logically about the villages even today. The play was wonderfully performed. With strong dialogues and matured acting skills the artists were able to impress the audience.