Verinag, May 19: Hindi play ‘Girgit’ directed by Neeraj Kant featured here on Sunday in Natrang’s weekly Theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’ at the Historical Mughal Garden, Verinag, Anantnag (Kashmir). Based on a Russian short Story by Anton Chekhov the play proved to be shining example of a hard-hitting satire on the present socio-political system of the region.
The adaptation of the play was deeply rooted in the soil of Kashmir and its dramatic text made the audience feel as if they are watching their own story. Every time the play is staged, some highly contemporary and situational aspect is added to it which refines its beauty. Natrang has been endeavoring to showcase highly relevant political and social satires and todays play demonstrated this vision statement of the institution.
The play Girgit revolves around a Dog and corrupt Police Officer, who changes colours like a chameleon, every time as the situation changes irrespective of right or wrong. The stage action starts when a Dog bites a pickpocket who approaches the officers to help him to roundup owner but in vain. A passerby hints that the dog belongs to the local Minister as he saw a similar dog moving around his Bungalow.
On getting his clue, the officer starts beating the pickpocket for teasing a respectable dog. The officer claims that a dog of minister cannot bite unless and until forced to do so. While he is beating the pickpocket, another man from the crowd observes that the local minister cannot keep such dog, as he is known to have pointer-hunting dogs only. On this, dog is thrashed and search continues for the owner of the dog to enable the pickpocket to claim the compensation.
The beating of dog continues until a servant of the minister appears on the scene. At first he refuses to recognize the dog but later identifies him as the minister’s brother’s dog who has visited from Delhi. Here the dog is escorted back home with full official protocol.
Brijesh Avtar Sharma as Police Officer portrayed aesthetically the changes of colours of the central character who was equally supported by Aadesh Dhar as his subordinate.
Neeraj Kant as the senior officer successfully exhibited the complexities of the senior bureaucrats. Among others who gave impressive performances included Sanket Bhagat as thief, Kushal Bhat as Minister’s Servant, Vansh Pandotra as Dog, Vishal Sharma, Mihir Gujral, Vandana Thakur, Priya Kashyap, Subash Jamwal and Mohd. Yaseen.
