War and peace

What is life without art? Imagining a world sans art is rather baffling. But for the theatre enthusiasts, the play <g data-gr-id="46">Gazab</g> Teri Adaa directed by professor Waman Kendre was a treat to the eyes with its sound bound to catch your tongue.

The basic theme of women empowerment along with an attempt of eradicating warfare from the social system produced a wonderful effect on the viewers. It forced the viewers to ponder hard on the issues of the world. It broke the misconception that art is devoid of practicality and reality. 

It was the chorus – a group of women who are artists and wives of the soldiers, who come up with a plan when the king planned to win the world with warfare. They came up with a solution that would stop the war which <g data-gr-id="54">results</g> horrific consequences. 

Though the king is portrayed as a strict ruler, his comic scenes with his minister and soldiers invoked a genuine laughter. 

The props like – the bells used by the female <g data-gr-id="40">artistes</g> grabbed everyone’s attention. The ringing of the bell emphasised on the importance of music playing in <g data-gr-id="43">variety</g> of contexts provoking emotions. The stage set-up reflected the rise and fall of power and <g data-gr-id="42">constant</g> tussle between the genders to be obeyed. 

Inspired from ancient Greek playwright <g data-gr-id="50">Aristophane’s</g> Lysistrata, the play intends to establish <g data-gr-id="51">world-peace</g>. There were two chorus in the <g data-gr-id="52">orginial</g> play but Kendre incorporated some changes that further beautified the play. Songs and dance that took the stage further enhanced the overall appearance of the play. 

It was an attempt by the soldier’s wives to make their husband stop the war by sexually depriving them. The creation of a device that shows the <g data-gr-id="49">future,</g> showed these women a path. More than being beaten by their partners, the clips shown by the device aggravates the pain. All men and women in the play watch the clips of warfare of recent times and are thoroughly shaken by it. 

Though set in old times, this play is bound to sensitise various issues invoking a sense of responsibility at <g data-gr-id="44">individual</g> level. The play was the opening act of Nepal Sadbhawana <g data-gr-id="47">Aayojan</g> hosted by National School of Drama that opened on May 16 at its premises.