One of Munshi Premchnad’s classic stories ‘Shatranj ke Khiladi’ was brilliantly staged at Shaheed Bhavan auditorium here on Thursday. The play was staged under the Deshraag series.
Directed by Dinesh Nair, the play was organized by Directorate of Swaraj Sansthan in collaboration with Department of Culture, Madhya Pradesh.
Director of the Dinesh Nair said that the story of the play by Munshi Premchand is centered on the game chess. The story depicts decadent royalty of Central North India.
It is set around the life of the last independently ruling Nawab (noble) Wajid Ali Shah and concludes with the British annexation of the Nawab's kingdom of Awadh in 1856. The two main characters are the aristocrats Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Raushan Ali who are deeply immersed into playing chess.
Their desire for the game destroys the competency of the characters, and makes them irresponsible in their duties towards their families and society. They derive immense pleasure in developing chess strategies and ignore the real life invasion by the British. Their city lucknow falls to British attackers as they are busy playing a game of chess.
For past two months, the artists had rehearsed for the play. With the intelligent use of light design and set backdrop, the play became even more interesting to watch. Besides, the essence of Munshi Premchand’s writing style was kept intact.
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of lucknow and Awadh, the central character of the play was keenly interested in music, hence the Kathak dance and Thumri was also used in the drama.
Other than the play, an exhibition on Revolt of 1857 showcasing the bravery of the revolutionaries was also inaugurated at Swaraj Art Gallery on Thursday. The exhibition will be on view till Sunday.