Pawan Verma
Anton Chekhov has well said, “Theatre is a school of life, it teaches us what we are and what we might become.” It clearly shows the importance of theatre in our life and that’s why these days a very genuine demand is arising for ‘Theatre in Education.’ Although, when theatre will become an integral part of academics, it depends upon the authorities, however, the volunteers in the field whether playwrights or theatre activists, are working at their own to keep theatre alive despite facing threats from several entertainment channels after internet revolution. One of those individuals is Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’, a well-known Dogri, Hindi and English writer, a recipient of prestigious Sahitya Academy Award from Academy of Letters, Sahitya Academy New Delhi for his much acclaimed collection of children stories in mother tongue DOGRI entitled ‘SIKH MATT’ and also a state awardee for literature. Although he has many plays in Dogri and Hindi to his credit, but after a collection of two theatre plays entitled ‘ PRATEEK CHAND DE PRATEEK and AKALMAND LOK’ published last year, ‘VIRAAM and AAIENA’, a collection of two Hindi plays is his 2nd publication of theatre plays.
About Book:
VIRAAM and AAIENA is collection of two theatre plays written in Hindi language. As far as the concept- cum- story line of first play is concerned, VIRAAM is a light-hearted comedy, built around the central character of the poet Chandra Singh. The poet firmly believes that any creative endeavour demands inspiration. Without inspiration, the process of artistic expression remains incomplete. Yet, in his perception, such inspiration can never truly come from one’s own wife. From this rather humorous conviction emerges the fabric of the play, where themes of love and attraction towards others are interwoven with wit and satire.Through the medium of the play, the complexities of man and woman relationships are also delicately explored. Beneath the humour, there lies an earnest messagethat for a household to run smoothly and harmoniously, it is indispensable that the wife herself be regarded as the prime source of inspiration. Thus, while laughter and amusement hold the surface of the drama, it quietly conveys a deeper reflection on companionship, marital understanding, and the rightful place of mutual respect in married life.
The play is full of entertainment which not only serves as an opportunity to the theatre lovers for erupting laughter from within but the artists on stage also experience new shades in their approach towards theatre thus executing a concept which is an issue faced by every married couple in one context or the other. The language used is very simple that connects with theatre lovers with an ease and the poetry used exposes many so called self-styled stalwarts of literature. Yes, it’s a comical satire and at the same time provides a relief to performers on the stage and those ones watching in the auditorium as theme of the play binds them for certain similarities experienced by every household. The play has the potential to hold the nerves of spectators and amuse them with certain situations and sequences forming the storyline.
The collection has the other play AAIENA , a total contrast to the first one. The play revolves around the lives of those women or young girls who are deeply fond of beautifying and adorning themselves. On the surface, it may seem to focus on this interest in personal appearance, but in reality, the play goes much deeper. It also reflects upon the unpredictable nature of life, the ups and downs and the sudden twists of fate. After all, no one can predict when and how life might change its course. The narrative of the play particularly traces the life journey of a woman named Nirmala. Through her experiences, it shows how the very meaning of love transforms with time, shaped by changing circumstances and the challenges of reality. At its core, AAIENA advocates for a meaningful life and the courage to take progressive steps forward. It questions superficial social norms and appearances, pointing instead toward truth and reality. What makes the play powerful is its straightforwardness, it presents its message without unnecessary ornamentation, pretense, or hesitation.
It is pertinent to add here that AAIENA is not just a story about women’s fascination with appearance; it is a reflection on life’s unpredictability, the evolution of human relationships, and the importance of embracing reality with honesty and determination. It is an intense play that demands the microscopic observation of the script by the director, so as to execute the intensity and complexity of the subject on stage with all creative input. The performers have the opportunity to explore their talent. The playwright has used beautiful poetry to give more creative shades to the plot and make it a fascinating one to involve the theatre lovers for a creative ride together. We do come across such characters in our daily life but don’t know their complexities. This play is in fact an insight into that and advocates to live a life making it a worth to live in. It may happen only if we take life in its own stride and are bold enough to face even adverse circumstances. The main character of the play Nirmala is in fact an AAIENA, a mirror to society. It has to be understood that Time has to run at its usual speed, water has to flow as usual, then life should also be allowed to pass on as it comes to and this very thought is well conveyed through this abstract theatre play that offers all possibilities to a creative theatre director to play with script and innovate to any extent.
As far as the book is concerned, it’s a paperback edition published by Maya Sansar Publications Jammu and printed by Raplica Press Private Limited, New Delhi. The print quality is of high standard and the title page designed by Mrinalini Singh is catchy and symbolic too. The theatre groups have been given the consent in the foreword by the playwright himself with a condition to just communicate about the performance.
(The writer is a state awardee for theatre)
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