STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Natrang presented a political satire ‘Topian’ written by Mani Madhukar under the direction of Balwant Thakur at Natrang Studio Theatre under Sunday Theatre Series, here.
The play is a dig on the lusty politicians who can change colours faster than a chameleon just to ensure that they remain in power. For them, mission is to be befool public and for that they have the requisite theatrical art, know-how, expertise and the excellence to transform themselves to any color or attire as per the situation and the requirement.
In the backdrop of the story of two neighbours who pledge to change the political scene are shown looking for alternatives. Each time they come across a person they meet only those wearing different caps and attire offering them variety of manifestos. Each time they identify him as a different person and expect a different ideology from him. This way they succumb to his tactics. Over the time when they find that nothing is changing, the slogans of socialism are furthering the divide between rich and poor, quality of life is deteriorating day by day and the security of life and property is at the mercy of God. Both muster courage and strip the person selling those dreams. Surprisingly inside clothes they find that he is the same person and every time he used to come to them in different attire.
The playwright successfully portrayed that the politicians are the same; they only change their caps and their colors just to befool public. They can be friends and the enemies at the same time, their equations and confrontations change for lust of power. This absurd play posed a big challenge before the young actors of Natrang but interestingly their handling of the characters surprised many.
The roles of two neighbours were played by Rajan Thakyal and Shivam Singh where Mahikshit Singh rendered equal support to them. The lights of the play were executed by Mohd. Yaseen and the presentations were given by Aishwarya Sathe who also gave the music of the play.
