Play: Shree Durga
Script : Neelabh
Director: Shobha Deepak Singh
Group: Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi
Language: Hindi
Duration: 1 hr 40 mins
The Play
The performance begins with the celebration of Durga Puja, followed by the famous story of Mahishasur
and Raktabeej. Mahishasur is rewarded a boon by Brahma that he would be invincible by everyone except
a woman. Mahishasur goes about causing atrocities on women and society and gathering power unto
himself. The peace loving gods are attacked by Mahishasur’s vicious army. The trinity consisting of
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and the three elements consisting of fire, water and air churn their positive
energies and create a mighty female warrior ‘Shree Durga’. Shree Durga builds a female army to combat
Mahishasur. In a mighty combat Shree Durga twangs her bow with energetic potent power by which
Mahishasur’s army is devoured. The world rejoices in the slaying of Mahishasur. Yet another demon in
the form of Raktabeej arrives. Every drop of Raktabeej’s blood makes myriad’s of clones. Kali swallows
the blood drops before they fall on the ground. A dehydrated Raktabeej collapses and dies. Kali, drunk on
the success of her killings dances incessantly. Lord Shiva himself has to descend on the path of her war
dance to stop her. Towards the end Shree Durga is seen in all her glory and magnificence. The male
warriors surrender their weapons to her. The women dance in joyful ecstasy. Female power conquers over
mindless demons of society.
The Writer
eelabh, after completing his Masters from the Allahabad University, worked as a producer for the
Special Broadcast Service of the BBC. In 1984 he returned to India and began writing on a full-time
basis. Today he is recognized as one of the most proficient and talented writers of Hindi literature. Shri
Neelaabh has written several screenplays for films and television as well.
The corpus of his work includes translations and adaptations like Pagla Raja, Aatankh ke Saye, Apvbaad
ka Phanda, etc; adaptations of plays by playwright like Shakespeare, Bretch and Lorca; plays like Apne
Aap se Lambi Baat Cheet, Jungle Khamosh Hai, Shokh ka Sukh and many others. In addition he has
edited a book on 30 stories of Manto and has written two volumes of prose titled Pratimaano ki Purohiti
and Poora Ghar hai Kavita.
Director
Shobha Deepak Singh joined Bharatiya Kala Kendra in 1968 and served as the first Manager of Kamani
Auditorium. During the past two decades she has produced, directed and designed costumes for
outstanding ballets and dance dramas of the institute. In 1977, she completed her degree in Bachelor of
Performing Arts. In 1992, she joined the Direction Course of Living Theatre under the tutelage of Mr. E.
Alkazi. She received her diploma in theatre direction in 1996. During her tenure with Living Theatre,
she received training in allied arts such as light and set design, and did the music of several plays such as
Virasat, Royal Hunt of the Sun, Three Sisters, Three Greek Tragedies, A Streetcar Named Desire, and
Death of a Salesman. She also worked with Mr. Alkazi, as an Assistant Director for the latter four
Credits
Durga SHIBURAM MOHANTA
Kali MOLINA SINGH
Mahishasur SWAPAN MOJUMDAR
Raktabeej RAM HARI
Choreography SHASHIDHARAN NAIR
Ballet Master RAJ KUMAR SHARMA
Vocal Composition GUNDECHA BROTHERS
/ Singer SHANTI SHARMA
.JPG)
