Muslim group from Bengaluru to stage drama on Mahabharata

BENGALURU: Taking ‘kurukshtera’ of ‘Mahabharata’, a Hindu epic as the topic, a team of Muslims belonging to Halenahalli in Nelamangala in Bengaluru rural have come together to stage a drama to spread a message that infighting among family members over property share is not good for the society.

In Hindu epic, the 'Kurukshetra' is a war between cousins Kauravas and Pandavas for dynastic succession. In the drama ‘Kurukshetra’ to be staged on March 19, the major characters will be performed by Muslims and the drama would run for about 9-hours from 9 pm to 6 am the next day. The drama is organised under the banner Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Kala Vrunda, Halenahalli.

A 52-year-old Nayaz Khan is in the role of ‘Duryodhana’ and he told Deccan Chronicle "I have come across instances where Muslims have performed in dramas either as an individual, but Muslims staging a drama in a group is never heard of in a Hindu drama."

Nayaz said that he and his friends enjoyed watching drama at his village and that is when the idea to stage a drama by themselves struck and they soon began the preparations to implement their idea.

The character of Krishna would be performed by Javeed Pasha, Dharmaraya by Abdul Razaq Sab, Shakuni by Chanda Pasha, Drona by Zamer, Bheeshma by Nazeer Sab, and Abhimanyu by Subaan, among others.

Female characters include Arundhati in the dance performance of ‘Uttare’ a character in Mahabharata, Ranganayaki will perform ‘Rukmini’ dance and Muniraju is the music director for the drama, said a pamphlet on the drama.

Nayaz Khan is a mango grower and said that he never tried to act in any drama but had passion for drama. “It will be my maiden appearance on stage,” he said and added “Even my friends, 18 of them are new to staging drama.”

To start rehearsal, Nayaz Khan chose drama master Muniraju to help tune their skills and the rehearsal for the drama has been going on for about a month and half. A confident Nayaz Khan said, “Rehearsals for the drama have gone well and the team is geared up to stage the drama and win the hearts of villagers.”

By staging a drama on ‘Kurukshetra,’ Nayaz Khan said that a message has to spread in the society that infighting among brothers or in a family is not good, especially over sharing properties and to make an amicable living.

Khan said, he never found himself in any uncomfortable situation while taking up acting in the drama and he fine tuned his skills with the help of drama master and also could do well in rehearsal with the help of his friends especially in dialogue delivery.

The rehearsal by the team has drawn the audience, said Nayaz Khan and hoped that the turnout on drama day would be in large numbers.

“The audience at the rehearsal appreciated our efforts,” he said.

At Halenahalli, Nayaz Khan stated that Hindus and Muslims have made a living in a peaceful atmosphere and both the communities celebrate ‘Babayya’ fest at the village.

Nayaz said all arrangements have been made, and even costumes for each role have been readied. The ‘Kurukshetra’ drama is likely to be attended by top political leaders at the inaugural time.

Drama master Muniraju was unavailable for comment on the drama to be staged.