Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, 30th March, 2016, Shimla
The magic of famous local writer S.R. Harnot’s work was seen coming to life on the stage of Gaiety Theatre, Shimla in a form of a play titled “Bajantri” organized by the Rangpriya Theater Society in association with the Indian Ministry of Culture and Department of Language, Art and Culture, Himachal Pradesh.
Informing about the event, Director, Hitesh Kumar Bhargav, said that Rangpriya Theater Society has been formed by local artists of Himachal who want to keep the traditional art form alive which in the current times is not being given its due.
The story of the play revolved around Sehju, a dalit by caste, who earns his livelihood as a Bajantri (shenayi player). The play was a mirror to the unjust treatment lower caste people receive sometimes in the name of devi devta’s and other times by the hands of the upper caste people. It reflected on the double standards of the society who are dependent on them on one hand but on the other do not wish to give them their due rights.
The play highlighted a soft love story of Sehju and a high caste girl Cha
mpa. The situational comedy kept audiences in full humor.
“For me it was a complete fun show. Live traditional music was very thrilling and entertaining. For once I felt that I was transported to a different land and actually felt that was in some temple where such practices are held”, said one of the spectators.
Many were of the opinion that has this show been part of the Him Rang Mohatsav it would have made audiences feel alive and fresh but like they say “all’s well that ends well”, so it can be said for the play that brought smiles on the faces of the theatre lovers.
