Agni-Leek premiered at the Prithvi Theatre festival that is currently on and among the few I saw at the festival upto now, this one was the best! (also seen ’Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein’ since then, that too has been equally good.)
Agni-Leek explores, rather, makes us question, the image of Ram that is most common, a ’God’ who is accepted (mostly!) without questioning. The play makes us think whether what he did with Sita was right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable. This brings out a more ’human’ angle to Ram from Sita’s point of view first, and then, Ram himself. She analyses what he has done to her as a husband, complaining that he is for the most part, an ambitious king, and is only concerned about the ’honour’ of the kingdom, and in doing that, he has ignored her feelings all along the way.
What the play is about (this para is taken from the brochure):
Agni-Leek is based on the ’Sita-Vanvas’ episode of the ’Ramayana’, the great Indian epic. The play tries to go beyond the ’’God-Head’’ image of Ram. It explores the character of Ram as an ambitious king, Sita’s husband and keeper of justice. Sita’s own questioning of Ram’s attitude towards her and many other such questions, become the centre point of the play. In the end we see an image of Ram more real and believable.
I particularly enjoyed it because Sita is given a ’voice’, which has been sorely lacking in the ’Ramayana’ we usually know or hear about. It is a very well-written script. Each dialogue (a monologue at times) is filled with meaning. The audience also enjoyed it as every now and then people were applauding Sita’s point of view. Made it all the more an enjoyable experience, especially for the actors (keep in mind this was the very first time that it was being enacted! - so a great morale booster for the actors)
Ram also has his say later on. We can see the dilemma he faces as he voices his thoughts.
Some of the dialogues are high-Hindi, so one really has to pay rapt attention :)
Ila Arun portrays Sita very well (I am not a great fan of hers generally!). But to her credit, she does a good job and is the main pillar of the entire play. Additionally, she looks good this time ;)
K.K. Raina plays Ram and does not look funny or awkward in the role of a god-king. He plays his part well. He has also directed the play, so double kudos to him!
The costumes are selected perfectly by Ila Arun.
Bharat Bhushan Agarwal, a poet-turned-dramatist (this was his only dramatic creation) is the writer. Since I have appreciated the play, what can I say, other than good job, sir. (Sadly, he is no more.)
Lot of others in the cast too, all play their respective parts well, which makes the play extremely engrossing.
It is by the group Surnai (they’ve made quite a few plays, out of which I have only seen ’’Jameela Bai Kalaali’’ few years ago when it had a re-run.)
I am keen on seeing it at least one more time. Hopefully, it will hit the theatres soon after the Prithvi fest.
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