The continuous run of not one but two plays for 30 years is bound to swell any director’s chest with pride. Similar is the case with Aaj Theatre Repertory's “Pashu Gayatri” and “Amar Beej” directed by Bhanu Bharti. The latter will be staged today at Shri Ram Centre. Despite been staged in all the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and also several State capitals numerous times, “it continues to evoke the magic among the audience” says Bhanu, adding that “both are considered as landmark in the modern Indian theatre.”
“Pashu Gayatri” by K.N. Pannikar is adapted to a Bhil setting and explores the extent to which human beings are willing to stoop in order to serve their greed and avariciousness. While “Amar Bheej” is a Bhil legend which the director has adapted. It brings to fore the truth of Mahamta Gandhi’s quote, “Nature has enough to satisfy everyone's need but has not enough to satisfy a man’s greed.”
“The interaction of the modern mind with the tribal culture in the two plays creates a unique and fresh approach –– that appeals to the audience,” says Bhanu when asked the reason for the sustained popularity of the two dramas. He adds, “It is a spiritual experience for the audience.”
“Astonishing is the fact that viewers who have watched the two plays more than three to four times still congratulate me,” adds the director.
It is fascinating to know that the same group of Bhil tribals is still enacting the two plays barring six members who are sadly no more and each play has been performed more than 200 times. “Working with the Bhils has changed me as a person and my life at a very deep level. It has been a great learning experience not just as a theatre person but also as a human being,” says Bhanu. “I cannot express the feeling in short and will have to pen a book to convey them – which I intend to do in future,” the veteran director comments.
