Taj Mahal ka Tender

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Source: Vijay Times, BVT LifeStyle - 4.
Copyright © 2005 Puja Goyal.

Bureaucracy, Red- Tapism, Bribery, Files passed on from one person to another till they virtually became pre-historic, Government Servants and the Government; all of which are synonymous with our Indian culture. We have now learnt to enjoy satire based on shortcomings surrounding our progress, and handicap our system… well, what else can you like to do?

Kya Taj Mahal ka Tender pass hoga? Natyosava '05, a Hindi theatre festival organised by Kadambari (a group for the Performing & Fine Arts), in association with the National School of Drama Repertory, have tried to ask us this question. What if Shah Jahan attempted to make the Taj Mahal now? Written by Ajay Shukla, and directed by Chittaranjan Tripathy, Taj Mahal Ka Tender focuses on the organisational diseases that our country suffers from - diseases, which are eating up our countries progress like a parasite; symptoms include: corruption, idleness, favouritism, arrogance and insensitivity to public needs.

Shah Jahan grew old, waiting for a glimpse of the majestic "Taj Mahal" but it was never meant to happen. Meanwhile, everyone else who had indirect vested interests in the project were feted for their hard work… the Taj Mahal was never made. Somewhere down the line, the satire connected with the audience, and they laughed hysterically. The actors lived their characters on the stage with finesse. Govind Pandey was impeccable as Guptaji: a government official. In the end, Guptaji says, people will come and go, be it the politicians, aam janata, intellectuals etc, but "Guptaji" will remain invincible! It was like a dagger coated with a sharp sense of cynicism pierced through the hearts of the audience.

Natyosava '05 is on at Chowdiah Memorial Hall from 17th to 21st October, don't miss it!