A dead body on a pallet surrounded by grieving family in Saroha village, sets off the play on a rather grim note. The dead man is Bisu, a bright, young Dalit activist, fighting against the tyrannical sarpanch â€" landlord, Zorawar who torched a Dalit settlement killing nine people. Soon the nexus between corrupt politicians, police and press comes to light.
This classic play that the graduating batch of Rangshila chooses to stage is based on a real life incident way back in the 1970's. The plot is thickly populated with characters like the reigning chief minister Da Saheb, his stooge and sarpanch of the village - Zorawar, the grief stricken father of Bisu, the dynamic and principled lady ACP in charge of the investigation, ad-chasing editor of the local newspaper and the angry rebel friend of the murdered hero and his courageous wife. All of them are throbbing with genuine angst and ambition. Can the Dalit rebellion be muzzled by the machinations of the devious trio of politician-police-press? A moot question that plagues us to date! The demonic acts of corruption continue hazardously and Bhandari's writing remains poignantly relevant.
The cast comprising green horns, is enthusiastic and impressive. Credit is due to the director Debanshu Shekhar for executing the play with deftness and blending in that rural flavour with a launda naach where cross dressed man dances to raunchy numbers, also he uses the stage balcony +effectively to highlight a domestic scene between Da Saheb and his authoritative wife who adds fuel to fire and cooks up 'mahabhoj' - a feast for her husband. Mention worthy also are the technical departments â€" stage art, lighting and music for adding value to the play.
Deepa Karmalkar (A senior journalist, features writer and reviewer who is now an ardent yoga trainer.)
