‘Jaanta
Raja’, the widely acclaimed theatrical
biopic depicting the life of legendary Indian warrior Shivaji, is not just a
mere performance by talented actors. It is a cultural celebration and a tribute
by today’s generation which continues to
be inspired by the ever inspiring and iconic leader, the ‘People’s King’- ShivajiMaharaj.
The play which has clocked nearly 975 shows in India and around
the world with audience of 1.5 crore is nothing short of a phenomenon in
itself. Sticking to ShivajiMaharaj’s
maxim of ‘inclusive governance and
participatory progress’, Jaanta
Raja is a theatre production of the people, by the people and for the
people. A core group of actors belonging to Pune-based Maharaja Shiv
Chatrapati Pratisthan Trust are constant to all the performances. The rest of
the starcast and backstage support person are actually everyday citizens of the
town where the play is going to be held.
People are transported from their daily work profiles into animated
characters on stage - gallant warriors, court ministers, dancers, musicians
etc. This inclusive approach to theatre
is indeed novel. Apart from providing live entertainment in classic Greek Play
style, the whole participatory exercise brings the community together, revives
time-tested traditions, preserves the cultural fabric and instills the belief
that everything is achievable through collective efforts.
‘Jaanta Raja’ has a large entourage of over 250 artists, horses, elephants
and camels performing on a specially designed colossal 55-feet high revolving
multi-dimensional stage spread over 5000 feet. The play has been written and
directed by eminent historian Babasaheb Purandare. Colourful costumes, finely
crafted stage, grandiose regal look takes the onlooker back by four centuries
in the days of Shivaji’s rule. It celebrates landmark moments in the life of
Shivaji, from the joy of his birth to the tragic death of his father, the
martial arts practiced by young Shiva, reclaiming lost territory and capturing
key forts by Shivaji and his guerrilla army, escape from the trap set by Moghul
rulers and the grand coronation ceremony of Chattrapati ShivajiMaharaj.
There are also small stories interwoven in the biopic that
have pertinent contemporary social
message like protecting women’s honour, women empowerment, invoking
nationalistic spirit, appreciating
native culture, inculcating secular approach, exhibiting unity in action,
environmental preservation etc. The play
has tons of wow-moments - like soldiers actually climbing a near vertical 50-feet to unfurl Shivaji’s saffron flag atop
a fort, soldiers marching with flaming torches, a parade of horses, camels and
elephants on stage, Shivaji’s royal court, re-enacting old-school battle
sequences with display of traditional Maratha weapons and gymnastic abilities,
women dressed in colourful and traditional Marathi attire ( the famous Navvari 9-yard sari) and bedecked in
real gold ornaments and flowers, the commanding sight of Shivaji riding on to
stage on a white stallion and many more.
‘Jaanta Raja’ has received critical acclaim and adulation from audiences in
India as well as overseas. The play has been well received with sevral performances
in The USA. The sheer creativity, elaborate stage craft, detailed periodic and
thematic costume, well-rehearsed acts and daredevil stunts rank it among the
finest live performances in the world, as good as Cirque Du Solei or any live theatre
production on Broadway in New York or London.
Sticking to the true benevolent sprit, the proceeds of the play
are extended to NGOs engaged in humanitarian and cultural initiatives.
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