Ghaus Siwani/New Delhi

Artists and aficionados of Urdu theatre are preparing to stage two unique shows Hazrat Krishn (Sir Krishan) and Dastan-e-Ram (The story of Ram) that had to be discontinued as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and lockdown and restrictions were imposed.

Both the plays are an experiment in syncretism and different forms of theatre arts by well-known theatre persons. Both the plays ran full house right till the Corona pandemic came and brought life to a screeching halt.

The two plays are based on Hindu deities Krishan and Ram and have been adapted in Urdu.

Hazrat Krishan is written and produced by Dr Saeed Alam, who has also played the kurta-pyjama wearing Krishna in the play. Both the plays use Urdu language and portray all characters in dresses that are identifiable with Muslims.

He said this unique idea of combining Hindu texts with Muslim culture came to him while playing the character of Maulana Hasrat Mohani, a renowned poet in a play.

Although the restrictions on theatres have been lifted yet people are afraid to come to see plays in closed spaces because of the pandemic. The producers of these popular plays are waiting for the situation to improve further to get theatre lovers to see the plays.

Maulana Hasrat Mohani, a legend in Urdu poetry, has expressed his devotion for Lord Krishna in his poetry. In fact, Hazrat Krishna term was first used by Hasrat Mohani.

A scene from Hazrat Krishan

He says the audience appreciated both the shows. One of the shows was also sponsored by the Union Ministry of Culture.

Producers of the show say that the popularity of the shows is because of the combination of Urdu language and the uniqueness of the story. The magnum opus of Mahabharata in which Krishan is one of the key characters is presented in the storytelling format.

Besides, in what will be the first time ever, Krishna is shown in four stages of his life. The audience even saw an aged Krishna in silver-white hair and loved him.

The characters of Mahabharata are wearing pyjamas and caps. Saeed Alam says, Hazrat Krishna' has a total of 15 characters.

Dastan-e-Ram also touched a chord with the audiences for its unique treatment of the epic. The director uses storytelling forms and experiments in different theatre skills. It took quite an effort to cobble this play since various poets were commissioned to write Ramayana in poetry form.

It was then compiled into a flowy script by the renowned playwright Danish Iqbal and the play is directed by Mustajab Malik. It has about 50 characters. Ram Chandra is played by Sandeep Kumar while Sita by Shaan Fakriti. Danish Iqbal is in the role of storyteller. 

Producer Tariq Khan has made this into a high-end budget show. Interestingly, in Dastan-e-Ram, Naat (devotional music), Marathi folk dances, songs of pain, mourning, farewell, as well as Bharat Natyam enrich the play.

The director has also used elements like puppetry. Overall, it is not just a play but a collection of different types of Indian arts put together on one stage. 

Several shows of ‘Hazrat Krishna' and 'Dastan-e-Ram' have been staged in India and abroad. The producers are hoping to revive these once the people at comfortable in revisiting the theatre because of the fear of the disease.