Ministry of Culture
22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav concludes in Mumbai
Famous plays like ‘I am Subhash’, 'Gandhi-Ambedkar', ‘August Kranti’, ‘Rang De Basanti Chola' enthral audiences
The 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav programmes, jointly organised by National School of Drama, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Akademi, Mumbai concluded yesterday. The festival was inaugurated on Tuesday, 9 August at Rabindra Natya Mandir in the presence of Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
The festival showcased plays of renowned theatre directors based on life and sacrifices of our freedom fighters.
I Am Subhash
Hindi Drama ‘I am Subhash’ by Bhopal based theatre group ‘The Rising Society of Art and Culture’ and directed by Chandrahas Tiwari was played on the first day of the festival.
‘I Am Subhash’ play is based on the life of the great patriot Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The performance depicts the struggle right from Netaji's student life to the formation of the 'Azad Hind Fauj' and subsequently his mysterious extinction. The play tells how Subhash Babu, in spite of adversity and opposition from prominent national leaders, not only made his place in the hearts of the people by awakening the spirit of patriotism, but also separated himself from politics and formed an army Azad Hind to free the country. The play is an attempt to show the ideology of Subhash Chandra Bose, his style of work and his dreams.
Gandhi-Ambedkar
On August 10, Hindi play 'Gandhi-Ambedkar' by Mumbai-based Samyak Theatre and directed by Dr. Mangesh Bansod was performed. The play is a powerful statement on the dialectical confrontation, of different ideological practices and methodologies, between Mahatma Gandhi and the architect of the Constitution of India, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, for the same purpose. Mahatma Gandhi had his own views on the issues such as country, society, people of india, Hindu-Muslim, untouchability, Chaturvarna system, Hinduism, where as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had his own conations towards the same. This has been the reason for the mutual differences and ideological conflict between them.
August Kranti
Rupesh Pawar's Hindi play "August Kranti" was staged by Nagpur-based group ‘Rashtrabhasha Parivar Samajik Sanskritik Sanstha’ on August 11
The play Agast Kranti is based on true events that took place during Quit India Movement 1942. It speaks majorly about Gandhiji. It mentions leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, etc. Lastly, at the grassroot level it underlines the importance of the rural people and their inspiration to fight unitedly for complete independence. An attempt has been made to showcase August Kranti play by exploring a few of these incidents.
Tilak and Agarkar
Marathi play "Tilak and Agarkar" directed by Sunil Joshi was presented by Mumbai-based Abhijat Natya Sanstha and Shri Aryadurga Creations on August 12. The play Tilak Ani Agarkar has been awarded golden leaf in Marathi theatre. The social and political situation of the time of Tilak and Agarkar had not changed much. The differences between the two during pre-independence period and their apparent friendship, which were gradually falling apart, led the two to choose different ways to reach the same goal. Tilak and Agarkar, who used to live together in the same house and started ‘Kesari' and 'Maratha’ newspapers after taking the oath of national service, are seen together in the beginning. But after that, the gap between their thoughts widened and their verbal disputes, then their jealousies; and the integration of the families of the two, after their own independence, becomes the central picture in this play. But one of the common threads of this play is the friendship, they feel from time to time: the audience is stunned to see all this.
Rang De Basanti Chola
The festival concluded yesterday with the Bhopal-based KARWAAN theatre group’s Hindi play 'Rang De Basanti Chola' which is directed by Mohammad Nazir Qureshi.
The play Rang de Basanti Chola has been written by Bhisham Sahni. Based on the background of Jalian Wala Bagh Kand, Play starts with the Court Marshal of General Dier. Instead of feeling sorry, he adamantly replies to the question, that he wants to demoralise the Indian, and performed his duty. To create the atmosphere of Punjab, Shabad and Prabhat Pheri are added to the play. Play revolves around the life of Hemraj and his wife Ratto. Hemraj believes in Gandhian Ideology. His brother-in-law visits his house. He belongs to Garam dal, and an argument takes place between them on each other's Ideology. British Army and officials remain vigilant and alert every time to break the unity of Indians. A few British characters like Principal Vathur, are there, who are Indian supporters and don't like cruelty.
National School of Drama under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has organised "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2022 " to pay tributes to our freedom fighters.
As part of the 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2022 , 30 plays will be showcased in Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Varanasi, Amritsar, Bengaluru and Mumbai from 16th July to 14th August, 2022.
Bharat Rang Mahotsav   or the National Theatre Festival, started in 1999, is the annual theatre festival organized by National School of Drama , New Delhi. Bharat Rang Manch was started to stimulate the growth and development of theatre across the country. Originally a national festival showcasing the work of the most creative theatre workers in India, it has evolved to international scope, hosting theatre companies from around the world, and is now the largest theatre festival of Asia. The National School of Drama is India’s premier theatre training institute funded by Govt. Of India.