Prayagraj: The musical play “Chanda Bedni,” staged in the center auditorium on Monday evening as part of the Bharat Muni Theatre Festival, organized by the North Central Zone Cultural Center, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, transported the audience to a world of emotions where love, struggle, and the pang of social inequality are simultaneously felt. Based on the folklore of Bundelkhand, the play is not just a presentation, but a mirror of the bitter truth of society, where love succumbs to casteist thinking.
A confrontation with society’s casteist thinking in love – The play’s protagonist, Chanda (Ritika Sen), a beautiful and talented folk dancer, wins hearts with her dance and singing. Her graceful movements are graceful, while her speech reflects a firm sense of self-respect. Chanda, who appears tough on the outside, is tender on the inside. Fascinated by her beauty and talent, a king (Priyansh Chaurasia), who already has a hundred queens, attempts to woo her with wealth, but Chanda’s heart beats for Lakhan (Dev Vrish Ahirwar), a simple young man from the village.
This is where the struggle between love and society begins. This story, woven in the fabric of folk traditions, has a deeply moving ending that shakes the audience to their core, as Chanda and Lakhan’s love succumbs to the weight of social hierarchy. Ritika Sen brought Chanda’s character to life, while Dev Vrish Ahirwar portrayed Lakhan with profound sensitivity. The dance choreography was by Nitin Gond, and the stage design was by Priyansh, Deependra, Sagar, Akhilesh, Sanju, and Dev. Other roles were played by Deependra Singh Lodhi, Sagar Singh Thakur (disciple), Priya Goswami (Munni), and Sanju Athia (drummer, soldier). The program began with the lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest Subandhu (Departmental Pracharak, RSS), Special Guest Prince (Organization Minister, All India Vikas Parishad), Mukesh Upadhyay, Deputy Director (Programs), and Dr. Aditya Srivastava (Administration). On this occasion, Dr. Rakesh Soni and theatre director Dr. Neeraj Upadhyay were honored with robes and saplings. Sanjay Purusharthi conducted the program.
