Grand re-enactment of Shambaji’s story

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ

If you are a theatre and lover of history, get set to witness the story of Sambhaji, the second ruler of the Maratha kingdom and the eldest son of Shivaji, unfold in the form of a play titled ‘Shamburaje’. The play will be staged at two different venues across Goa.

Written by Neelangi Shinde from Merces, the play is about Sambhaji Maharaja’s entire life; from birth till death. It has 520 artistes and 100 supporting staff from the Bhagwati High School, Pernem and is directed by Jayandranath Haldankar. Shinde says: “His life story is an inspiration for today’s youth. I was also inspired by his life. I referred to a lot of books before writing the play and chose only the true stories of his life.” Shinde who is working as a Hindi teacher in Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Cujira – Bambolim adds that her headmaster Vilas Satarkar and school manager Subhash Desai also helped her a lot.

The incidences, dialogues are written in such a way that even small children will be able to understand about Sambhaji’s life. Also, the drama, dances, war scenes are choreographed and performed in a way that the two and a half hour long ‘mahanatya’ will be full of excitement and entertainment for children and adults alike.

The play has also been recommended for Asia Book of Records for its large cast.

Shinde has written eight mahanatya style dramas before this historical. ‘Shamburaje’ was written two years back for her school and staged in Kala Academy in coordination with Art and Culture department. “This drama was especially written two years back for Sambhaji’s third death centenary. Thereafter the same play was staged in many schools for school gathering events.” This year is Golden Jubilee Year of Bhagwati High School, Pernem and hence they have chosen to perform the drama. The only difference is that Bhagawati High School will perform this drama on a big stage with more artists and live houses and bullock carts,” says Shinde.

As a teacher Shinde believes that history should be brought out of textbooks to children in such dramatic forms where they can understand and remember the sequence of events better. “Each and every Goan should seize this opportunity,” she adds.

The play will be staged by the Directorate of Art and Culture in association with West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur.

(The first show of the play will be staged at Goa Engineering College campus in Farmagudi on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. The show will be repeated staged on April 26 and April 27 at 7 p.m. at the same venue. In South Goa, the play will be staged on May 4 at 6.30 p.m. at Copel Bhat, Ambaulim, Quepem, and will have repeat shows on May 5 and May 6 at 7 p.m.)