‘Sanyasta Khadga’: Fitting finale to Deshpande festival

Nagpur: Curtains came down on the three-day Vasantrao Deshpande Smruti Sangeet Samaroh on Monday with the staging of a musical drama ‘Sanyasta Khadga’. Written by Veer Savarkar and directed by Pramod Pawar, it was a drama of 30s vintage with music composed by Master Dinanath Mangeshkar.
At the Deshpande Hall, the two act play was presented by Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. Set in the Buddhist era, ‘Sanyasta Khadga’ which means the ‘Forsaken Sword’ offered a stunning comparison between violence and non-violence. Using the Shakya Kingdom as the place of action, Savarkar brings out his doctrines by pitting Gautam Buddha against the army general in his father, King Shuddhodana’s kingdom. After an extensive debate in which the general speaks of how only discipline, guns, swords and a strong will protects ones nation, he willingly gives up the worldly ways to embrace Buddhism.

But when the Shakyas come under attack from the neighbouring kingdom, the general turned monk once again argues his point to say that it’s not absolute non-violence but the wielding of the sword which protects the citizens of a nation against foreign aggression. Using the teachings of Buddha to bring home his point, the general argues that a nation prospers not with its capacity to pardon, do penance or sense of justice, but because of its strength to deal with its enemies. But he advises caution too by saying that strength, power and disciple which are so essential to build a nation should not be used for personal greed or aggression.

The otherwise intense and profound play finds respite in the songs, melodiously sung by the actors to live music, and light banter between characters playing spouses on stage. Besides the powerful and long dialogues, the play also uses aesthetically designed and fast changing backdrops to create the mood. The plot and narrative of the play being perennial, found acceptance with the audience who approved of it with repeated applause.

Keeping with its commitment to honour artists during the three day festival, SCZCC felicitated artiste Pramod Babu Ramteke, folk theatre artiste Hemant Vaishnav from Chhattisgarh and sitarist and founder of Swarali Sangeet Sanstha Nandini Sahasrabuddhe.