GANDHI NE KAHA THA
Written by – Rajesh Kumar
Directed by – Ayatullah Khan
The play opens on the eve of Independence with Mahatma Gandhi trying to end the communal violence that had been spreading across India due to communal riots. Gandhi is staying in the house of a Muslim labourer at Belaghat -Calcutta
Gandhi’s supporter, Tarkeshwar Pandey comes to meet him. Tarkeshwar Pandey’s son Suraj has been killed by communal rioters. Tarkeshwar is upset on hearing this news and questions Gandhi about the validity and existence of Gandhian ideology in such a situation.
Gandhi Ji advices him to adopt a Muslim orphan to overcome his own pain and loss. Tarkeshwar promises to abide by this advice and face any difficulty that may come in the process.
He adopts a Muslim boy (Aftab) and brings him home but his wife (Sumitra) refuses to accept him.Sumitra is an orthodox religious woman and refuses to accept a Muslim boy into her family. She gradually however accepts him as a son.
Aftab has been brought up according to the Muslim tradition and as he grows up he encounters the prejudices that are faced by Muslims in the society around him. This troubles him and he joins a terrorist outfit.
He moves around with terrorists and also gets involved in the violence. But the violence and brutality against Hindus disturbs him when he encounters a terrorist activity and mass killing of Hindu. He is reminded of his own past as a Muslim orphan.
He soon realizes that violence is not the answer to counter violence but the answer remains in the world around us.
VENUE: Bhavan’s College-Andheri (West), Mumbai
Date: 11th February.2012
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