‘Madhavi’ is about a woman treated like a commodity
BHOPAL : To mark the centenary year of author and playwright Bhishma Sahni, a Hindi play ‘Madhavi’ was staged at Antarang hall of Bharat Bhavan on Wednesday.
Scripted by Bhishma Sahni and directed by Tanaji Rao Wavde, the play highlights the agony of women. The play recounts an ancient tale from the Mahabharata depicting how the sacrifices made by women were ignored by the male-dominated society and how they were objectified.
The play is based on the pathetic story of the life of Madhavi, daughter of King Yayati. The king who is keen to earn fame as a generous ruler, gifts his only daughter Madhavi for fulfilling Galav’s desire without asking of her once.
Galav is a disciple of Vishwamitra and he wants to give 800 Ashwamedh horses as a gurudakshina after the completion of his education. He goes to many kings to collect the horses but he is unable to do so.
Then he seeks the help of Yayati.
The king first shows incapability but later he agrees to his request. He gifts Madhavi to him saying that she has a boon that the child born to her would be Chakravarti.
She is so gifted and has so many boons that any king would give him 800 horses in return for Madhavi.
Galav then sets out in search of a king who would give him 800 horses in exchange of Madhavi.
The one-hour-long play was wonderfully presented by The Raising Society of Art and Culture (RISAC). Megha Atraathotra as Madhavi, Lokendra Pratap Singh as Galav, Ajay Paul as Yayati were in lead roles.
Sets, costumes, lights and music were used as per the mood of play. Cross-lights were used to highlight the ups and downs in Madhavi’s life. Lights and costume of play were designed by Anup Joshi ‘Bunty’ and Rashmi Acharya whereas set were designed by Kamlesh Dubey beautifully.
“We were preparing this production for the past three months. We did make some changes in narration but not in the script. The play is about a 5000-year-old story but it is still relevant. It is a historical play the kings in it do not carry arms. I think war of words is enough,” said Tanaji.
