TAMASHA NA HUA by Bhanu Bharati at shri Ram Center @ Delhi, India - In presence of Chief Minster Sheila Dixit

It was Thursday (30th June, 2011), when I was working in office and got a ping on Facebook and it was from Daksha, who asked me if I am free in the evening or not. I asked why.. She said that it's last day of 'TAMASHA NA HUA' play and I have some passes with me. And I was like 'Neki aur Poochh Poochh' and immediately asked her to keep them safe for me :) ... and here is a small PHOTO JOURNEY about the play with some information I could find out !

This play is a production of AAJ RANGMANADAL !!! Aaj Rangmandal was established in 1984 by Shri Bhanu Bharati in Udaipur, Rajasthan where a continuous dialogue between the traditional and ritualistic elements of the Bheel community of the Mewar region of Rajasthan and the contemporary theatre is constantly taking place in a dense and creative manner.
because of this intense and thought provoking work in the field of contemporary theatre. Aaj Thatre Company has created a special niche for itself in the international Theatre scenario. During this process a need for involving the urban actors along with tribal actors was felt to further its creative and innovative pursuits.
Thus AAJ- Delhi was founded and since then this then this unique theatre company consisting of the urban and the tribal actors is contantly involved in its thought provoking work.

Every year aaj Theatre Company has been presenting a theatre festival of its own production in Delhi. Some of the most important theatre presentations of Aaj have been Pashugyatri, Amar Beej, Kal Katha, Katha Kahi Ek Jale Ped Ne, Naachni, Mahamayi, Dehantar etc.

These theater works are being regularly presented in all presented in all the important theatre festivals all over the country.

And is Directed by BHANU BHARTI :

One of the eminent Indian Theatre directors, who created a niche for himself and Indian theatre on the world arena, Bhanu Bharti was born in 1947 in Ajmer, Rajasthan. he graduated from NSD in 1973, bagging the best all round student and the best Director awards. Later he studeid traditional theatre of Japan at University of Tokyo.

Bhanu Bharati  has approximately 50 production to his name. His major works are "Chadrma Singh urf Chamku", "Ras Gandharva", "Azar ka Khwab and Yamgatha". His productions like Pashu Gayatri, Kal Katha and Amar beej are based on his study of performances and rituals of bheel tribe of Mewar region of rajasthan. he has also directed a Film on Gavari, the dance theatre of Bheels.

Bhanu Bharti headed the drama department of Rajasthan University, Jaipur from 1976 to 1978. He has also taught Dramatic Literature, Scenic Design and Acting in many institutions including NSD. He has served as director of Shri Ram Center for Art and culture and headed Bhartiya Lok Kola Mandal, Udaipur.
He was also chairman of Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy.

Bhanu Bharti has been honored with many prestigious Nations Awards for his exclusive contributions to the field of Theatre including Sangeet Natak Academy Award and Rajasthan Sahitya Kala Academy Award.

Synopsis of the PLAY:

To commemorate Tagore's 150th anniversary a theatre group is rehearsing his celebrated play ‘Muktdhara' in which preparations are on to celebrate the completion of the dam on the streams of ‘Muktdhara'. The dam is an innovation of ‘Yantraraj Vibhuti' who has worked for 25 years tirelessly on it, and which has come about after many glitches and deaths. For ‘Vibhuti' it is the victory of man's genius over the forces of nature, but for the king of ‘Uttarkut' it's a political instrument to subjugate the rebellious people of ‘Shivtarai' down in the valley.

The prince of ‘Uttarkut' considers the dam a blasphemy against the spirit of god and nature, because he believes that nature and its resources are the gifts of god to all the mankind and are to be shared irrespective of the political boundaries and loyalties. In the end, the prince destroys the dam and frees ‘Muktdhara' by sacrificing his own life.

While rehearsing the same, an argument erupts among the actors about the relevance of the play in the present times. This argument leads to the famous debate between Tagore and Gandhi, and the issue of man's freedom in to-day's scenario.

The discussions leads to many real issues faced to-day, like the Farraka ‘barrage' and its effect on Bangla Desh agriculture and fisheries, Baglihar dam on river Chainab causing problems with Pakistan, the effects of free economy and consumerist culture on the society and ‘Gandhian socialism' v/s ‘Marxist socialism' etc.. After serious arguments and counter arguments among the actors, the debate remains inconclusive and the play un-performed. In the process, conceptual and practical problems of the contemporary theatre are also visited.

A tribute to the great renaissance poet of India, Tamasha Na Hua is an attempt to provoke a dialogue about man's plight in today's world and to explore the possibility of the freedom of his body, mind and soul, which Tagore and Gandhi so keenly desired.

Cast of Tamasha Na Hua

RAVI KHAANWILKAR, TEEKAM JOSHI, DAKSHA SHARMA, RAJESH SHARMA, LAKSHYA GOEL, SHAURYA SHANKER, AMIT SINGH, DEEPAK PANDEY, TILAK RAJ

Whole team of TAMASHA NA HUA...

Delhi's Chief Minster Sheila Dixit was there to see this play second time.. She also  came on innogration day !!!

CREDITS

COSTUMES: NALINI R. JOSHI

SET EXECUTION: AMARJEET

LIGHT DESIGN: R.K.DHINGRA

PRODUCTION: SINDHU MISHRA

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: BHANU BHARTI

Thanks to Daksha, who is there is photographs - The only girl actor in this play !!!