Wrapped in cool sea-breeze, the serene precincts of Sri Jagannath temple on Dasapalla Hills Visakhapatnam exuded distinct ethnic charms of Odisha as Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj celebrated its annual cultural evening on an impressive scale with a string of performances involving group singing, Odissi dance and a theatrical presentation.
The highlight of the evening was the play ‘Sapanara Sahanai’ (Shehnai of dreams). It was about how avarice makes anyone stoop down to abysmal low leaving to winds the values and ethics that they profess day in and day out in life. Avarice makes no distinction in its prey. Spiritual or irreligious, police or thief, coolie or a paymaster everyone who populates the canvas of the play falls prey to the irresistible temptation for easy money. In a well-knit three-act narrative all these characters from different walks of life gently yet firmly thrust home the importance to be free from avarice to make our lives meaningful.
The play has the protagonist Sangram tempting everyone he meets including a poor coolie Bhim, a spiritually inclined Babaji, Mataji and their disciples, two young lovers, and finally even a thief and policeman, to give up their love, principles and ethics in exchange for the huge treasure he has in his huge trunk. Finally everyone joins hands to kill Sangram to take the treasure, but he shoots them all down. At this turn of events a man with a diary comes in search of Sangram and reveals the tragic life of the protagonist who having lost everything in life from mother to his beloved and with no job becomes lunatic but ran away from asylum. R. P Sahu, who directed the play, displayed remarkable histrionic talent in the last scene, revealing tragic life of the protagonist.
The light and shade affects enhanced its dramatic appeal well. With Dinesh Sand in the lead, Sarat Maharana, Satchidanand Panigrahi, Haldar, Balram Pradhan, DD Das, Susant Choudhury, Mallik, Mandakini and Pushpa excelled in their respective roles. Ranjit Patnaik scripted the play.
The event opened with a group song by Majulatha Das, Ranjita Biswal and Aarati Hadar that warmed up the audience to the treat followed. Aiswarya Sahoo presented an Odissi dance number with panache. It dealt with childhood acts of Lord Krishna that found an appealing articulation in her vibrant presentation.
