Two Punjabi Plays
There was a strange unity in diversity in the plays presented at the National Theatre on November 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1973. One play was in poetry set in the legendary past, whereas the other in prose, was permeated in the very present. Both plays deal with the alluring Eve, that remains man’s tragic obligation ever since her inception from Adam’s mythological ‘rib’.
The poetical play ‘Loona’ (written by Shiv Kumar, a precocious Punjabi genius who died this year) had some enchanting lines full of consuming passion and the desires unfilled.
Khosla’s play ‘Do Juttian’ (original ‘Jutian da Jora’ was perhaps a better name and a better play without being rewritten and literally ‘polished’. In sixties it had a very successful run at Delhi along with another Khosla play) was in prose but never prosaic. It had sparkling wit and humour with typical ‘Punjabi elan’.
In ‘Loona’ Rashpal succeeded in infusing bit of ‘fatalism’ which was the hallmark of Puran’s ill-fated character. Vijay Arun’s portrayal of King Salwan (Loona’s ageing husband was quite convincing. He managed to tone down his earlier theatrical pitch and brought depth and insight in his role. But eventually it was Lajya Sharda who with her brief appearance as Puran’s grief-stricken mother, stole the show.
In Khosla’s play everything was spick and span – like its simple but impressive décor. (In contrast Loona’s décor were too gorgeous – suitable for a dance-drama). Allaudin Quereshi and Anjali Pritam were in their usual self and lived their roles.
Farooq’s acting was rather stylized. I hasten to add that in Farooq we have a good actor in the making. In both the plays Preet’s acumen as director was very much visible. He deserves many a plaudit for himself and his animated cast for rejuvenating theatrical interest in otherwise film-ridden Asian audience.
