Jesters' jest brings out Gandhi, Ambedkar in new light

It was a befitting tribute to a person who was closely associated with art, literature, and culture.

Sanjay, son of Prof C D Narasimhaiah was truly involved in all the activities of ‘Dhvanyaloka’ , a brainchild of his father.

Hence, it was very thoughtful of Jayashri Sanjay to dedicate these two plays,. ‘Gandhi-Ambedkar’ was staged  on November 8 and ‘Alibaba mathu 40 kallaru’ on November 9.

‘Gandhi – Ambedkar’ is a controversial play that deals seriously with two lofty personalities of Indian political arena. Originally written in Marathi by Premanand Gazvi, it is translated to Kannada by D S Chowgale.

This contemplative play unveils the thoughts and the theories they both believed in along with their meanness, greatness and clashes of philosophy .

The writer cleverly employs jesters who act as the mouthpiece for the voice of not only the writer but also the common man. It is with these jesters  that both Gandhi and Ambedkar share their inner most feelings . Their soliloquies reveal the justification of their deeds and accusations.

“I have no homeland. If it were there, my people would not have behaved like this.” “You did not even sympathise with my work” is the  standing complaint of Ambedkar against Gandhi.

Abolition of untouchability is more important to Ambedkar than the freedom of our country. His dream of eradicating the caste system or the chathurvarna and to bring everybody under one varna or ekavarna is strongly opposed by Gandhi. Gandhi firmly believes the panchamas as an inseparable part of Hinduism.

 If they are given a separate representation, (as wished by Ambedkar) then it opens the door for all the other castes to follow the same footsteps. Hence Gandhi opposes it.

But the vidushaka (jester) questions Gandhi as to why did he then approve this in the case of Muslims?  Such thoughts regarding these two personalities holds the audience throughout the play with very sharp and quick dialogues. The writer peeps in to their mind without any emotions or attachments.

Unbiased

The play is unbiased. It brings forth many a topic like Ambedkar’s conversion, Gandhiji’s fasting against Ambedkar, the partition of the nation and so on. Many a times their true personalities is shocking.

This play is directed by C Basavalingayya. Narayanaswamy as Gandhi and Goutham as Ambedkar excel in their acting and dialogue delivery. All the jesters have done justice to their roles.

The second play is an all time entertainer. Written by Dr Chandrashekara Kambara ‘Alibaba and forty thieves’ is directed by Mandya Ramesh. He has very cleverly tapped  the talent of children.

The whole play is managed by children including changing of sets in fraction of minutes.
The natural ability of children has been wonderfully explored to its maximum extent.

The music is scored by the late Raju Ananthaswamy. Both the director and children deserve an applaud for their effort in presenting this  entertaining play.