Charandas Chor staged at Shabda Theatre

By Our Correspondent,Urlabari, Aug. 18: The world-renowned play Charandas Chor by famous Indian playwright Habib Tanvir was staged at Shabda Theatre in Pathari Shanishchare, Morang.

The first show of the play was staged on Friday at the auditorium of Hariyali Community Forest, where 300 people watched the performance. Director Jeevan Khatri adapted the play to suit the Nepali social context.

The Nepali adaptation was created by Ashant Sharma and Rajan Khatri. The play was performed by artistes Prasuna Adhikari, Karuna Timilsina, Raj BK, Prem Khatri, Bhumika Basnet, Suman Kuikel, Chhatra Limbu, and Ashok Rai. 

Despite limited resources and technology, the play stands as an example that theatre is still vibrant in small towns and villages.

In recent times, when electronic means of entertainment are at everyone’s fingertips, the audience’s attraction to theatre has conveyed the message that people's love for drama never dies.

Prem Khatri was well-suited for the role of Charandas Chor. From beginning to end, although Charandas repeatedly stole, he never betrayed anyone, nor did he ever lie.

 Whatever vows he made to his teacher, he never broke them, not even when given the chance to marry a princess.  The play conveys the message that one must be moral, honest, and true to one’s word.

The play also satirises Nepal’s politics to some extent, highlighting how ministers are always eager to attend inaugurations.  

The play will be performed three times daily for 14 days, with an estimated 10,000 viewers expected to attend. Earlier, Shabda Theatre had staged the play Ani Deurali Runchha.