Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Jaanta Raja : A cultural celebration



‘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.

Follow Jaanta Raja on Facebook and Twitter...












1 comment: