Theatrekaran’s play handled the difficult subject of the 1971 Indo-Pak war sensitively

Doing a play primarily based on actual occasions is difficult. There have to be absolute constancy to the fact. And but the play should not be stodgy like a documentary. The difficulties get compounded when the subject you’re coping with is a war. Theatrekaran in collaboration with NCC-UDAAN was, due to this fact, taking over a difficult theme, when the troupe determined to stage a play on the 1971 Indo-Pak war. But to their credit score, the administrators of the play (Raghavendr and Sabarivas) handled the subject sensitively.

The play 1971 war: Oru Vetri Thorkkadikkapattadhu (idea and curation by retired Major General Indrabalan), staged in Narada Gana Sabha, confirmed the brutalities inflicted on the East Pakistanis by Tikka Khan; Chief of Army Staff Manekshaw’s recommendation to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to defer war towards Pakistan till circumstances had been extra beneficial; India’s assault on Pakistan by air, sea and land; and Pakistan’s give up to the Indian forces.

The actors portrayed battle scenes successfully, typically resorting to shadow play.
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The actors portrayed battle scenes, guerilla warfare and the horrors unleashed towards the East Pakistanis successfully, typically resorting to shadow play. When Lt General Niazi of Pakistan says to Major General J.F.R. Jacob that India is a Hindu nation, the latter factors out that the Indian army forces greatest signify the melting pot that India is — Jacob is a Jew, Idris Hasan Latif of the Air Force is a Muslim, Manekshaw is a Parsi, and Lieutenant General Aurora is a Sikh. Maybe such an alternate between Niazi and Jacob didn’t truly happen, but it surely was heartening to listen to it being stated on stage.

Loud background music drowned out dialogues, as an example Mujibur Rahman’s spirited deal with to his individuals. Scenes the place actors delivered necessary strains would have been extra poignant with none music. Sabarivas defined that since many of the youthful technology appeared unaware of the 1971 battle and of India’s victory in the war, the title Oru Vetri Thorkadikkapattadhu (a victory that has been defeated) was chosen for the play. Wouldn’t Oru Vetri Marakkapattadhu (A victory that has been forgotten) have been extra apt?

Eighty-seven yr previous Major Krishnaswamy (later Colonel), who led his forces deep into enemy territory throughout the war, addressed the viewers after the play. He stated that some years in the past, when he visited Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh requested him, “When did you last visit Dhaka?” To which he replied, “Last time, I didn’t visit. I entered Dhaka.” He added that one other distinction was that in 1971, he had been holding a gun, however was now holding his spouse’s hand. Hasina joked, “What you are now holding is a more potent weapon than a gun.”