DASTAN RAJA VIKRAM KE ISHQ KI Play Review

Deepa Karmalkar	Host-A-Performance \| Schedule

Written and Directed : Mahmood Farooqi Cast : Poonam Girdhani and Darain Shahidi

DASTAN RAJA VIKRAM KE ISHQ KI Review

This episode of Dastangoi, the ancient art of story narration, is based on A K Ramanujan's tale about King Vikram and how he deals heartbreak involving Shahzadi Chauboli. He is that glum king who won't smile and the world is being turned upside down to bring back cheer to his life.

Performed at the recently concluded Prithvi Theatre Festival, Dastangos - Poonam Girdhani and Darainp Shahid hosts of the show narrate the story using minimal props and maximum imagination. The story relies on absurd plot involving animals and some fantastic situations. The narrator duo maintain a harmonious rhythm with Girdhani's playfulness and Shahidi's complicit spontaneity. They keep the audience involved with their elegant oratorship. The pauses, intonation and lyricism requisite to this format is all there, yet the creative fulfilment that sought by the viewers is not delivered through this flawless performance.

At best, this story makes for a bedtime read for a child, it definitely is not justified to be performed before a mature audience. Creator and curator of this tale, Mahmood Farooqi may definitely scout for a worthier, emotionally stirring scripts as he has always done. In a form relying on the strong content, the show bends as the wispy story fails to provide it with a strong spine.

Nonetheless, the audience is won over by the finesse with which the whimsical tale is delivered, kudos to the performers. Their sparkling performance just goes to prove the merit of oral storytelling. Also heartening to note how this ship sails valiantly amidst the digital storm that has hit our times. It is a welcome relief and a great satisfaction to enjoy a live enactment. You still want to know what made Raja Vikram smile? Go on watch the show.

Deepa Karmalkar A senior journalist, features writer and reviewer who is now an ardent yoga saadhak.

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