“Ek Aur Birbal” receives standing ovation at Pune
Jam-packed audience in Pune appreciates Vomedh for showing KP history in its right perspective
Pune, January 13, 2024: The jam-packed audience at Alpa Bachat Bhawan, Pune was mesmerised by the stellar performance by the artists of Vomedh Rangmanch who staged 27th show of their superhit Hindi Play “Ek Aur Birbal” at a cultural event organised by Kashmiri Hindu Sabha (KHS) Pune.
The audience gave a five-minute standing ovation to the play written by Rakesh Roshan Bhat and Directed by Rohit Bhat, which showcased the forgotten but glorious history of Kashmiri Pandits through the play.
“Ek Aur Birbal” approved by Ministry of Culture Government of India under the scheme (CFPGS) was a mega hit among the audience and received a standing ovation as it brilliantly depicts the plight of Kashmiri Pandits during the Afghan Durrani Rule in 1812 AD and the bravery displayed by Pt Birbal Dhar by bringing in Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s rule to end Afghan domination of Kashmir.
A galaxy of dignitaries was present in the audience who appreciated Vomedh for such an eye-opening play which was staged for the first time for Pune audience.
Written by Rakesh Roshan Bhat and directed by Rohit Bhat, the play salutes the vision and velour of visionary Pandit Birbal Dhar, a tax collector in the royal court of Afghan Governor Azim Khan in 1812 AD. The play chronicled the sequence of events, such as Birbal being forced by tyrant Azim Khan to recover unethical heavy tax amount from the Kashmiri Pandits, but Birbal’s conscience prevailed, and he revolted to take on the governor at the cost of losing his wife and daughter-in-law.
Pandit Birbal Dhar approached and convinced Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Lahore to save Kashmiri Pandits and the general public of Kashmir. The benevolent Maharaja attacked the Mughal Army and forced Azim Khan to run to Afghanistan. The play relied largely on the narratives with background music and costumes suggestive of the Mughal splendour of the 18th century.
Rakesh Roshan Bhat has brilliantly brought out all the aspects of the era hitherto unknown to the modern generation and the excellent direction of Rohit Bhat coupled with superb acting skills displayed by the artists makes the play more memorable for the younger generation and the old tribe alike.
“Ek Aur Birbal” got a standing ovation by the audience terming it a lesson in Kashmir Pandit history and their struggle for the Kashmiri Pandits and others as well.
Pandit Birbal Dhar finds a passing reference in the history but when analysed his sheer wisdom, character and courage assumes gigantic proportions for his heroic effort in bringing Sikhs to Kashmir and integrating Kashmir into India.
While the play delves deep into the arrival of Islamic rule into Kashmir it also depicts the miseries of Kashmiri Pandits after Kota Rani lost the battle and talks about the six forced migrations of Kashmiri Pandits that took place since then.
Rakesh Roshan the playwright says that the play was a tribute to the legend of Birbal Dhar and how he got Maharaja Ranjeet Singh to end the reign of terror of Afghan Durani rule thus becoming the real hero of Kashmiri Pandits.
The actors who performed on stage did a brilliant job which include Arvin Tickoo as Pt Birbal Dhar, Shazi Kahan as Mirza Pandit, Irfan Choudhary as Azim Khan, Himagini Moza as Birbal’s wife, Ajay Kumar as Anwar Khan, King C Bharati as Bassa Ram, Kamakshya Dogra as Raja Kak, Shashank Singh Rajput as Sukhram, Irfana Bano Mir as Raja Kak’s wife, Vishal Hans as Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and Manoj Dhamir as Phool Singh.
Narration was given by Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Lyrics by Rakesh Roshan Bhat, Singer and composer Arvind Ji, Makeup -Shammi Dhamir, Music Arranged by Abhishek Bharti, Lights Adhitya Bharti, Costumes Suman Bhat & Bharti Kaul, Host Bindiya Tickoo, Properties Sushma Kumari.
