Transporting you to the folklore of Rajasthan and a village in Bihar, Aadamjaad and Panchlight were a delight. Ranjit Kapoor tells Iknoor Kaur that he came up with this combination to present the plays in cities outside Delhi
With interesting twists, powerful delivery, sundry expressions and expressive lighting, the plays Aadamjaad and Panchlight called for a standing ovation.
As part of National School of Drama’s Summer Theatre Festival, these plays by Ranjit Kapoor were recently presented at Sammukh Auditorium. Not more than 45 minutes each, one brought out the philosophy that what goes around comes around. While the other presented an old ghissi phiti love story with a twist.
“I began this combination of plays two years back, to show in small cities outside Delhi,” said Ranjit elaborating on the rugged element used in both plays.
Aadamjaad is about people with evil intentions. Kapoor remarked that the play is both negative and serious with characters that have no saving grace. It uses deception, confrontation, egoism, greed and altercation as key elements. Best explained when watched, Ranjit felt the play thrives on acting and doesn’t need a stage to support it. “It has been directed in a manner in which it transport you to the ethnicity of Rajasthan, solely through dialogue and acting.”
Narrated by Ashutosh Mishra, it had central characters like Prasanna Soni, Kailash Chauhan, Ipshita Chakraborty, Deep Kumar, Jagannath Seth, Durgesh Kumar and Amanjeet singing beautiful songs, in order to supplement the act. “To cut the depression of the first play,” stated Ranjit, “I brought in the second, Panchlight, which keeps you entertained.”
As the narrator, Ajit Singh Palawat put it, “Primarily a love story, one tends to wonder what a panchlight would do in the middle of it.” Through events and confusing situations, the panchlight plays an important role. However, Ranjit said that the entire play is meant to make the audience laugh, after previous presentation, being the reason he showcased both back to back.
As for use of light, Kapoor shared, “I strongly feel, even without using this light, the play is powerful,” adding that its use only adds to the effect and also set a mood.
With reference to use of the same cast in both plays, he said that all the actors are versatile and he recognised their talents. Both plays showcased experience and ability. The cast was the strength of the plays, and their expressions, clubbed with the lighting stole the show.
Two Ranjit Kapoor’s plays, Begum Ka Takiya and Chekov Ki Duniya will also be showcased as a part of the NSD Summer Theatre Festival before June 20.