A play Bhakt Puranmal (Khyal) was staged at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan here on Wednesday. The play marked the ninth day of 8th Theatre Olympics being going on in city.
Written by Punamchand Sikhawal, the play was directed by Laique Hussain. The play was brilliantly presented by the artists of Rang Prishtha, Udaipur. The 1 hour 10 minutes play was presented in bilingual i.e. in Hindi and Rajasthani.The play is all about a devotee of Lord Shiva Puranmal. Puranmal is the prince of a kingdom and son of King Sangh Bahti. The handsome young prince falls the prey of a conspiracy when he refuses to fulfil the lawless desire of the queen.
The play begins with introducing the characters in a grand manner on stage. The story follows the plot and audience witness that King Sangh Bhati (character essayed by Zhoomar Puri) receives an invitation from the King of Gajni inviting him for the Swayamvar of Princess Lunande.It is declared in Swayamvar that Princess Lunande will marry the contestant who pierces the eye of a fish hanging from a tree, by looking at its image in the boiling oil cauldron below. Sangh Bhati accepts the challenge, pierces the eye of the fish and marries the Princess. Though, he was already married and this was his second marriage.
Lunande, enamoured by Puranmal (character essayed by Mangilal), son of Sangh Bhati, tries to fulfill her desire with the help of her maid, but Shiv Bhakt Puranmal refuses her. Lunande conspires to kill Puranmal. She instigates the King and on the orders of Sangh Bhati, Purnamal is killed.
Lord Ganesha and Parvati witnessed the entire episode. Then, Parvati requests Lord Shiva to revive Puranmal as he was murdered brutally and it was injustice. Shiva, while travelling around the world revives Puranmal on the behest of Parvati. The live music on stage like the drums, dholak and harmonium added superiority to the presentation. Besides, the artists played their characters really well and the audience appreciated the performance.