Bhopal: A much-acclaimed play ‘Charandas Chor’ was staged on Friday – the ninth day of the twelve-day long ‘Madhya Pradesh National Drama Festival-2016’ at Antarang Hall of Bharat Bhavan. The hall was jam packed with theatre buffs, who came to watch the well-known play. The play, originally a Rajasthani folk tale, was adapted into a play in Chhattishgarh by theatre doyen Habib Tanvir.
Directed by Anup Hazarika, the satirical version of the play set the stage for some hard-hitting theatre with a proper dose of entertainment as well. The story of a petty thief, who escapes the clutches of the law and promises to live his life sticking to certain principles was appreciated by audience who were present in large number.
Based on a Rajasthani folktale, Charandas is a thief, who swears to his Guru to lead a simple life, never to eat in a gold plate, never to hold an office of power and never to marry a princess. But when life throws at him all these temptations, he has to make tough decisions, declining the offers and thereby costing him his life. Just when he is about to be executed for refusing to marry the princess of a kingdom, Charandas reflects on the impossible task of living a truthful life, which in today’s context is rather bang on point. It was presented by BA, a socio-cultural organisation, Guwahati, Assam.