Prayagraj: As the stage lit up and the voice resonated, it was as if the layers of time were being unraveled. The audience was suddenly transported five centuries back, where the voice of a saint-poet still guides society. On the fifth day of the “Virasat Kala Utsav,” organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Center, Prayagraj (Ministry of Culture, Government of India), renowned theatre personality Shekhar Sen’s solo performance, “Tulsi,” filled the auditorium with a wonderful sense of devotion, emotion, and drama.

This production brings to life the imaginative moment when Goswami Tulsidas descends to earth for 24 hours and narrates his life’s story of struggle, devotion, and creation. From a childhood filled with poverty and neglect to becoming a great poet-saint, this journey both moves and inspires the audience.

Shekhar Sen brought Tulsidas’s personality to life through his impressive acting, music, and dialogue. The play also highlighted the social consciousness that led Tulsidas to protest against exploitation in the name of religion and compose the Ramcharitmanas—a Ramayana written in the Awadhi language for the common people and still sung with devotion in every home. The 52 musical segments included in the presentation brought the entire play to life. On several occasions, the audience was seen humming these popular verses, filling the auditorium with devotional sentiments. The program was inaugurated by lighting the lamp jointly by Chief Guest Professor Asim Mukherjee (Allahabad University), Center Director Sudesh Sharma, Deputy Director Dr. Aditya Srivastava, Deputy Director (Programs) Dr. Mukesh Upadhyay, and Program Advisor Kalpana Sahay. The Center Director honored the Chief Guest by presenting him with a robe and a plant.