The celebrated story of Ghasiram Kotwal has been retold many times since first being staged in 1972, but as a recent show here proved, the political satire still packs a stinging punch for the modern day.
Vijay Tendulkar's classic, which has stayed "relevant for more than 40 years", was showcased here as part of Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the annual theatre festival of National School of Drama.
Directed by Rajinder Nath, the story of Ghasiram, from Savaldas to Kotwal, chronicles his rise from an abject humiliated immigrant to the position of a remorseless tyrant.
The play, which starts with an invocation to Ganesha, is a mix of Marathi folk theatre style 'Tamasha', devotional songs used as parts of narration, and Lavani, a Marathi combination of song and dance.
Unlike the original play written in Marathi, Nath's Ghasiram Kotwal was performed mostly in Hindi and partly in Awadhi.
Set in Pune, portrayed as a cesspool of immorality, the play is the journey of Ghasiram Savaldas, played by Shanawaz, from a life of injustice and humiliation to becoming a tyrant with an absurd sense of justice.
As part of his plan to take revenge, Ghasiram tempts city chief Nana Phadnavis, played by Suresh Sharma, to make him Kotwal of Pune in exchange of his minor daughter Gauri.
While Nana stays busy in debauchery, the new Kotwal announces inhumane punishments for the smallest of crimes.
Under Ghasiram's rule prisoners are dying, citizens are scared and the Kotwal himself grows rich with money and power.
Meanwhile, Ghasiram's daughter dies under suspicious circumstances. And Nana casually sentences Ghasiram to death for his despotic laws as he is of no use to the city chief.
After the sentencing, Nana's monologue projects his vile political nature when he says, "Use a thorn to take out a thorn. The disease has been stopped, anyway, he was of no use any more."
The play holds importance in theatre not just for its timeless relevance and political statement, but also for involving folk and modern theatre styles using lyrical narration, dance sequences, songs among other elements.
Ghasiram Kotwal has been directed by Nath for more than a hundred times. Nath was also the first director to do this drama in Hindi in 1973.
"I had long ago stated that revivals are risky but in case of Ghasiram Kotwal risk is worth taking.
"This is the fourth revival in which almost the entire cast is new and we had to start from the scratch. But we did because I firmly believe that this play is a modern classic and has passed the test of time," said the veteran director.
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