The 14th Rang Alap Theatre Fest started with Hindi play Shuturmurg at Shaheed Bhavan on Thursday.
The play is adoption of story with same name, written by Gyandev Agnihorti which talks about the corruption and loophole in system as well politics of our country. It sends out the message the downfall of a country based on of its ruler. So the ruler should be eligible and responsible for public.
Directed and conceptualised by Vibha Shrivastava and the play was presented by Ekrang Socio-Cultural Society, Bhopal.
The play is saga of a peculiar, eligible and stubborn King. He does what he wants to do, never care of public. One day the king orders his general secretary to make an idol of ostrich and then establish a golden chhatra (parasol) because he believes that ostrich can keep away from any ordeals to him and his generations too. He wastes all treasures in fulfilling his desire. On other hand people are suffering from famine but he doesn’t care and is more interested in his work.
Meanwhile a common man, Mamuliram meets the king and makes the king aware of his ministers. He told the king that his ministers are making him fool and not making any idol instead they have kept the money with them. After knowing all this, the king becomes very angry and calls ministers and asks the reality. At the end of play, general secretary kills that common man and snatches the throne from the king.
Sets, costumes, lights and music were aptly used which highlighted the moods of play. Also the acting skills presented by the artistes added zest in the performance of the play.
“This play is staged for the second time in Bhopal. I have not manipulated the original script but added some songs to make it interesting and entertaining. The story was written in 1974 but still it is relevant,” said Shrivastava.