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"SHANKAR: A Captivating "Rizak ki Maryada" Theatrical Experience in Sikkim

By himalayanreview

The National School of Drama, Sikkim Repertory Company's "SHANKAR," directed by Ajay Kumar, completed its two-day run (June 29-30, 2024) at the Studio Theatre, Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkim.





The Nepali play was adapted from the "Rizak ki Maryada" a Rajasthani story by Vijaydan Detha. Probably the first musical play stagged in Sikkim. The play had everything that could be an audience delight. It had the essence of comedy and tragedy and was well performed. The background light was well used. The Nepali dialogue (translation to Nepali by CK Shrestha) with the witty screenplay in the middle added its flavour.

The biggest highlight of the play was its music which adapted as the scene progressed. The lyrics were beautiful and had an Indian taste. Each and every actor who even had a two-minute dialogue excelled. Bhand 1 and 2, Bhand's wife, Seth 1 and 2, the King and his Queens, Dewan, Courtiers, King's Brother-in-law and Barber made the play interesting.



The story - The story features a character, a Bhand, who can take on various forms. He arrives at a wealthy merchant's house disguised as a sage. The merchant and his family become his devoted followers. Over the next few months, their devotion grows to such an extent that the merchant donates all his wealth to the sage, who is actually the Bhand in disguise. However, at this point, the Bhand reveals his true identity, declaring, "I am not a sage." The merchant is devastated and asks why the Bhand abandoned his sage disguise after acquiring so much wealth. The Bhand responds, "This is the dignity of Rizk (livelihood)."

In the story, the Bhand later takes on a new form at the behest of a queen and kills her tyrannical brother. In the end, he killed himself. By sacrificing his life, he upheld the dignity of his livelihood. Such faith signifies that giving one's life is more important than taking it.

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