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KOLKATA: The final scene of 'Karkat Krantir Desh' - Kaushik Sen's play based on Mughal prince and scholar Dara Shikoh's life - shows a band of saffron-clad men, sporting headbands with 'Jai Shree Ram' scribbled on them, triumphantly prancing on the stage. Carrying saffron flags and swords, similar to those used by BJP supporters during the Gujarat riot in 2002, they close in on a helpless Dara after his defeat at the battle of Deorai. The play ends on this chilling note, with fundamentalist chants drowning the distressed cries of Dara's army.
The threat of religious extremism looms large yet again, believes Sen, which makes Dara Shikoh's fall relevant in the current political context. "Dara's persecution and killing by Aurangzeb was essentially the result of a power struggle. He was a poet and a philosopher, but was branded a 'kafir' and a threat to Islam by Aurangzeb to mobilize forces and opinion against him. These were used to dislodge him, just as Hindutva has become a tool in the hands of people who are out to seize political power. We now face a situation where a leader with serious allegations against him is being projected as the next Prime Minister. Narendra Modi is using religion and his so-called development model to influence people. Fundamentalist forces like the RSS are backing him. This is indeed alarming for we are probably heading for a scenario where sane, sobering influences are going to be smothered, just as it had happened 360 years ago," said Sen. The play will be staged in Kolkata on April 6.
Based on Ibrahim Irani's book "Emperors of the Peacock Throne", the play has been penned by writer Srijato. Sen says the historic play was deliberately given a contemporary touch in the last scene to drive home a political message. "The rest of it is just history. But in the climax, Aurangzeb's army has been deliberately transformed into this modern-day fundamentalist brigade. This is meant to be a direct political comment," added Sen
There are elements as well that have parallels in present-day politics. For instance, the religio-political campaign against Dara evokes similarities with the BJP-sponsored Hindutva movement. 'Karkat Krantir Desh' seeks to remind the audience of a 'Hindutva-development' cocktail that has been designed to fool people, according to its director. "Fundamentalist slogans invariably influence the rural masses. They are gullible and disadvantaged. For centuries, rulers, who rarely tolerate honest and intellectual forces, have been using religion to have their way. It remains unchanged," he said.
The play traces Dara's alienation from the system. It depicts his love for Hindu scriptures, philosophy and his proximity to Sufi saint Bulla Shah. "He was a thinker, an intellectual far ahead of his times. Dara never wanted to be a part of the power struggles. But Shah Jahan had nominated him as his successor. Ironically, when Aurangzeb was hounding him and was questioned by Shah Jahan, the latter was reminded by his younger son that he, too, had often resorted to violence. Today, when you accuse a party of violence, they turn around and tell you that their predcessors had done the same. Nobody denies using muscle power, but looks at it as a legitimate political weapon which is dangerous," observed Sen
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Play-likens-BJP-surge-to-Aurangzeb-reign/articleshow/33202181.cms
The threat of religious extremism looms large yet again, believes Sen, which makes Dara Shikoh's fall relevant in the current political context. "Dara's persecution and killing by Aurangzeb was essentially the result of a power struggle. He was a poet and a philosopher, but was branded a 'kafir' and a threat to Islam by Aurangzeb to mobilize forces and opinion against him. These were used to dislodge him, just as Hindutva has become a tool in the hands of people who are out to seize political power. We now face a situation where a leader with serious allegations against him is being projected as the next Prime Minister. Narendra Modi is using religion and his so-called development model to influence people. Fundamentalist forces like the RSS are backing him. This is indeed alarming for we are probably heading for a scenario where sane, sobering influences are going to be smothered, just as it had happened 360 years ago," said Sen. The play will be staged in Kolkata on April 6.
Based on Ibrahim Irani's book "Emperors of the Peacock Throne", the play has been penned by writer Srijato. Sen says the historic play was deliberately given a contemporary touch in the last scene to drive home a political message. "The rest of it is just history. But in the climax, Aurangzeb's army has been deliberately transformed into this modern-day fundamentalist brigade. This is meant to be a direct political comment," added Sen
There are elements as well that have parallels in present-day politics. For instance, the religio-political campaign against Dara evokes similarities with the BJP-sponsored Hindutva movement. 'Karkat Krantir Desh' seeks to remind the audience of a 'Hindutva-development' cocktail that has been designed to fool people, according to its director. "Fundamentalist slogans invariably influence the rural masses. They are gullible and disadvantaged. For centuries, rulers, who rarely tolerate honest and intellectual forces, have been using religion to have their way. It remains unchanged," he said.
The play traces Dara's alienation from the system. It depicts his love for Hindu scriptures, philosophy and his proximity to Sufi saint Bulla Shah. "He was a thinker, an intellectual far ahead of his times. Dara never wanted to be a part of the power struggles. But Shah Jahan had nominated him as his successor. Ironically, when Aurangzeb was hounding him and was questioned by Shah Jahan, the latter was reminded by his younger son that he, too, had often resorted to violence. Today, when you accuse a party of violence, they turn around and tell you that their predcessors had done the same. Nobody denies using muscle power, but looks at it as a legitimate political weapon which is dangerous," observed Sen
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Play-likens-BJP-surge-to-Aurangzeb-reign/articleshow/33202181.cms
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