Play “Vritraj” Highlights Message of Compassion and Selflessness in Udaipur
Udaipur: Conveying the message of Lord Shiva that in the coming age, selflessness and compassion will be the greatest virtues—and that one who embodies altruism will be the true “Vritraj”—the play Vritraj was staged on Sunday at Darpan Auditorium, Shilpgram. The performance was organized under the monthly theatre series “Rangshala” by the West Zone Cultural Centre and presented by Jaipur’s Veena Pani Kala Mandir. The auditorium was packed, and the audience highly appreciated the impactful presentation.
Director of the Centre, Dr. Ashwin M. Dalvi, informed that the play was staged as part of the monthly theatre evening. It was written by noted theatre personality Vasudev Bhatt and directed by theatre expert Vishal Bhatt. The performance featured artists from the Jaipur Tamasha tradition.
Theme and Concept
The play creatively connects a modern incident of blackbuck hunting with a Bhil story described in the Shiv Purana. It portrays how the conscience of a modern-day offender reminds him of his past life as a Bhil hunter who once showed compassion toward a deer family. Despite unknowingly performing worship of Lord Shiva, he received divine blessings. Realizing this, the offender feels remorse and resolves never to repeat such acts.
The story is based on an episode from the Kotirudra Samhita of the Shiv Purana, which narrates the divine grace of Lord Shiva upon a Bhil king who unknowingly observed the Shivratri fast. The play, adapted in the traditional Tamasha style, also incorporates contemporary references such as blackbuck hunting incidents in Rajasthan, emphasizing messages of equality and compassion.
Performances and Production
The musical presentation, enriched with Jaipur Tamasha folk elements, featured performances by Jhilamil Bhatt (Bhil hunter), Abhishek Jhankal (modern hunter), Dr. Saurabh Bhatt (Lord Shiva), Sargam Bhatt (doe/goodness), Abhinay Bhatt (deer/goodness), Akhil Chaudhary and Anees Qureshi (evil forces), Pakhi Bhatt (fawn), Vishal Bhatt (priest), and Naveen Tailor.
Music was composed by Dr. Saurabh Bhatt and Shailendra Sharma, makeup by Ravi Banka, lighting by Shahzor Ali, and costumes by Namrata Bhatt.
Story Summary
The play begins in a courtroom where a man named Armaan is on trial for blackbuck hunting. The court leaves the judgment to his conscience. His inner voice narrates the story of a hungry Bhil hunter searching for prey to feed his family. While waiting on a tree near a Shiva temple, he encounters deer who promise to return after informing their families. During this time, water and leaves fall from his vessel and the tree onto the Shiva temple, resulting in unintentional worship.
When the deer return, ready to sacrifice themselves, the hunter is moved by their compassion and lets them go. Pleased with his selflessness, Lord Shiva grants him a boon. Armaan realizes he was that hunter in his previous life, feels deep remorse, and vows never to hunt again.
The play concludes with Lord Shiva’s message: anyone who holds compassion for innocent beings carries Shiva within and is truly a “Vritraj.”
The initiative by the West Zone Cultural Centre was widely appreciated by theatre lovers, and all artists were honored at the end of the program. Several dignitaries, officials, and citizens attended the event.
साभार :
© CopyRight Pressnote.in | A Avid Web Solutions Venture.