last evening i finally managed to do something which i have have been wanting to do for a long time now! hold on... before your rabid minds concoct innumerable unmentionable ideas let me clarify :)the 'big boss' and i went to watch a play called kabir.
it is a mono-act play by acclaimed and multi-talented shekhar sen who has written, directed, acted and sung in this play.
the play takes us on an interesting journey which describes kabir's life. born around 1398 as an illegitimate son of a brahmin widow, raised by a childless muslim couple, a weaver by profession, kabir is greatly influenced by the religious mood during that period. he then finds answers to most of the questions tormenting him when he meets his preceptor, ramanand, and then goes on to become one of the greatest revolutionary philosopher-poets ever in india.
his dohas (couplets) in vernacular hindi are a treasure trove of some of the highest philosophical declarations with some of the most practical and simple ways of looking at life.
in his two hour long play shekhar sen uses very very simple props but weaves powerful magic on the audience through witty, hard-hitting dialogs (where he enacts the roles of more than 30 other characters using different voices), melodious music (pre-recorded sound tracks) and over 40 songs rendered in more than 30 raagas.
the passion, the energy and the sheer power of the message of kabir as delivered by shekhar sen in this play will not fail to move the audience and make an impact. irrespective of whether you are agnostic, an atheist or a cynic! he manages to get the message across even if you do not understand the vernacular version of hindi that he uses in the play.
i would strongly recommend this play to all of you who are interested in kabir and his teachings, theatre, music, philosophy and all things indian!
p.s. i am now eagerly looking forward to seeing his other two mono-act plays - vivekananda and goswami tulsidas!
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I have been lucky enough to witness three of his plays, Kabir,tulsidas and Swami vivekanand. All three of them are gems.
Shekhar Sen is phenomenal!! I believe he performed Tulsidas specially for Guruji after the completion of a camp some years back. Someone who attended the camp told me. Apparently, he was pursuing Guruji to perform in front of him. Of course, this incident endeared Shekhar Sen to me and my parents even more.
Dont miss his Vivekananda and Tulsidas - we have these on tape too - he is a joy to listen to! Hari Om!
u know the tragedy? i have never heard of him...but now i do...thanks....
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