The annual theatre festival organised by Bela Theatre Karwaan in memory of its founder Mohd. Waseem Azad opened with the presentation of “Nautanki Raja” to a packed LTG auditorium Died in 2011 at the age of 35, Waseem was one of the pillars of amateur theatre movement in Delhi who inspired young people to join theatre. His article of faith as an artist was to work hard against adverse circumstances. Started in 2012, Waseem’s festival attracts significant directors of the Capital, evoking an encouraging response from the theatre lovers.
Mohd. Waseem Azad
Written by Anuj Khare, “Nautanki Raja” is directed by Bhupesh Joshi, a graduate from the Bhartendu Natya Akademi Lucknow, and a seasoned director and actor. The play is a satirical comment on the contemporary political class, concentrating either on retaining political power or grabbing it, displaying criminal negligence towards mitigating the sufferings of the masses. The satirical tone is not bitter because the director has used slapstick style of acting and Chaplinesque clowning technique . This treatment of the director enables the audience to enjoy themselves throughout the show. The characters are mostly caricatures who are conceited and nurture false notion about their intelligence. When these pompous characters are exposed, they become butt of ridicule.
The play opens with declaration of the death of the king of an unknown kingdom in mysterious circumstances. His half-witted courtiers are in a dilemma whether to mourn or to rejoice over the death of the king who was a parasite. However, they all want to fill up the post of the king who should have the same qualities the deceased had. He hardly interfered in the corrupt ways of courtiers. They assign this role to Vidushak to tour across the kingdom and recommend the right kind of king who gives them a long rope to act according to their whims.
As Vidushak sets out for a long journey, the first person that attracts his attention is a self-styled god man whose devotees receive him with great veneration. Enters the god man who is followed by his lady secretary. She frequently corrects him while he fumbles for the right word steeped in spiritualism. With his clever way of word-playing, he impresses his credulous devotees who donate generously.
Comment on corruption
Then he visits a police station manned by a corrupt police officer assisted by three nincompoops. Disguising as a journalist, he exposes police personnel, indulging in blatant violation of human rights and corrupt practices. Vidushak, in his wisdom, considers the police officer a suitable candidate for the crown. Here the director effectively exploits the comic appeal in a police man.
The action then shifts to a group of lumpen elements who are young and mostly talk about girls in a derogatory sense. They discuss issues in a loud voice which hardly convey any meaning. Suddenly, a strong man enters the scene, shouts at them, demanding the arrears of the rent they owe to him. He finally warns them to vacate his house. Vidushak asks the landlord and the good for nothing youths to follow him to present themselves at the contest for the selection of the king.
Not satisfied with these philistines, Vidushak comes across a group of alcoholics who claim to be revolutionary and talk about bringing about revolutionary changes in the country. The more they drink, the more loudly they talk about revolution. One of the drunkards talking about the revolution on the top of his voice, receives a telephonic call from his wife who reprimands, nagging him severely for indulging in empty talks.
Accompanied by these kinds of philistines, Vidushak takes them all to be presented before the courtiers for the selection of king. After deliberation, the courtiers find these people wholly unsuitable for the crown. Ultimately, it is Vidushk who has the last laugh.
Joshi’s production evokes laughter long and loud. But there are loose ends which need to be bound up. The scene about the lumpen youths drags on . The character of Vidushak is vital to impart dramatic momentum to the production. He should be a cunning strategist and persuasive in his conversation.
Karrish Sharma as Vidushak is not able to do justice to his character. Bhupesh Joshi as the self-styled god man brilliantly caricatures a fraud. His funnily outlandish costumes, aptly designed by Nilendra Rudola, enrich his character. Amar Deep as the angry landlord and Ashwin Saxena as the royal priest act admirably.