Natyansh Society of Dramatic and Performing Arts enacted the play "Bhagavadjjukam" on 6 March as a part of the monthly "Rangshala" theatrical presentation by West Zone Cultural Centre at Shilpgram Auditorium, Udaipur.

The play, which was based on the Sanskrit drama "Bhagavadjukkam" is a humorous fable written in the first half of the 7th century by the famous poet Bodhayan. The concept of exchange of souls among the characters had the audience in splits throughout the session. Kiran Soni Gupta, Director, West Zone Cultural Center - Udaipur, said that 'Bhagavadjukkam' (smile) is a Sanskrit drama. Bhagavad means sannyasi and Ajjuka means courtesan.

Explaining Bhagavadajukkam

A Sanyasi, one of the main protagonists of the play is introduced at the beginning of the play. The Sanyasi is said to be learned and accomplished, while one of his disciples is disoriented due to his fickle nature. While the duo is meditating in the open garden, a beautiful maiden arrives with her friends and they begin to play. In the meanwhile, the Yamdoot (Messenger of Death) arrives at the scene, in order to take away the life of one of the members of the group of friends. However, due to a name confusion, he takes away the life of the beautiful maiden, which irks the disciple. The disciple, then requests his Guru, the Sanyasi to somehow bring the dead maiden to life. Acceding to his request, the Sanyasi uses his yogic science and his soul enters that of the dead maiden. In the meanwhile, Yamraj realises his mistake and wants to revive the dead maiden, but when he notices that the soul of the Sanyasi has entered that maiden's body, he gets the soul of the maiden to enter into the Sanyasi's body. This exchange is the gist of Bhavadajukkam. The exchange of souls, the use of sound and light as well as the use of shadow theatrical technique was done with panache by the performers, director and technical support team.

Rekha Sisodia of Natyansh adapted and directed the stage performance. Stage performers from Natyansh included Yash Shakdweepi; Mahaveer Sharma (Shandilya); Aastha Nagda (Vasantsena); Urvashi Kanwarani (Paribhirtika); Bhuvan Jain (Yamdoot); Mukul Khandiya (Sutradhar/Vaidya); Murli Ahir (Clown/RamilakI); Harsh Dubey (Mata) among others. The music was composed by Rizwan Mansoori; vocals by Shreya Paliwal and Harija Pandey; choreography by Krishnendu Saha; stage lighting operations by Amit Srimali; costumes by Lata Sisodia and Yogita Sisodia, make-up by Yogita Sisodia; stage coordination by Jomi Jojo and Riya Nagdev; writer Bodhayan; language translation by Nemichand Jain and co-direction by Amit Srimali.

The play, performed at the Darshan Sabhaghar at Shilpgram was also attended by the Vice Chancellor of MLSU, Amrika Singh, senior theater artist Bhanu Bharti and eminent painter Shail Choil.

More snaps of the performance: