Prayagraj: The play Fareb-e-Hasti, which brings the great Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib into dialogue with contemporary times, emerges on stage as a fresh and compelling theatrical experiment. Moving compellingly between fantasy and reality, this dramatic proposition uses an intriguing incident to place Ghalib in present-day Delhi, where the ironies of modern life, temporal contradictions, and anxieties of power collide with him in curious and unsettling ways. As the narrative progresses, this light, playful irony encounters the politics of intelligence agencies, identity, and history, transforming into deeply dramatic questions. This highly effective staging was presented by the Backstage theatre group. The play was directed by Pravin Shekhar, with the dramatic text written by Prof. Sadiq. With the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, two performances of the play were staged at the Ravindralaya Auditorium.
This engaging and enchanting theatrical experiment by the Backstage group also compels a renewed reflection on the relationship between past and present. In Fareb-e-Hasti, an unusual incident forces Mirza Ghalib to appear in the current century. The incident is so fascinating that when the famed poet of the eighteenth century wanders through today’s Delhi, almost everything seems to mock him or turn into comedy before his eyes. This intriguing fantasy is presented in a distinctly realistic manner, where each successive scene grows increasingly dramatic. Amidst all this, countless questions and answers from the past and the present continue to shimmer like fireflies.
In this powerful production, Amar Singh’s nuanced portrayal of Ghalib is a memorable experience. Performances by Satish Tiwari, Dileep Srivastava, Chahat Jaiswal, Upasana Tiwari, Ayush Kesarwani, and Ashutosh Manjulsharan left a strong impression on the audience. Durgesh, Sanu, Shikhar, Ashish, and Satyavan kept the presentation dynamic and energetic. The production featured a refined lighting design by Toni Singh, while the evocative music that strengthened the narrative was composed by Amar Singh. Costumes were designed by Dalchand, and makeup by Hamid. Direction was by Pravin Shekhar, and production control by Alok Singh. The event was made possible through financial assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
