Jaagine Joun To: Narasainyo - Play May 25, 2009

Jaagine Joun To: Narasainyo - Play. Writer : Sitanshu Yashashchandra. Director : Utkarsh Mazumdar. Cast : Utkarsh Mazumdar. Jaagine Joun To: Narasainyo is about the life and times of the 15th century Saint Poet Narsinh Mehta, the Adi Kavi (First Poet) of Gujarati Literature. His life is full of striking upheavals. He faces personal, social, economic and political persecution with his strong belief in humanism and complete devotion to Lord Krishna. Like Kabir, Meera, and Tukaram he belongs to the Bhakti movement of medieval India. His timeless compositions are still sung with great love and devotion. Director's Note: Old Gujarati theatre popularly known as Bhangwadi Theatre had a strong musical tradition like the Marathi Sangeet Natak. Many of the songs from these plays are still popular even after 70-80 years. Unfortunately this rich musical tradition disappeared from modern Gujarati theatre. The prospect of doing a musical play in this context becomes very exciting and fulfilling. My personal experience as an actor singer in Tak Dhina Dhin, Master Phoolmani and Master Nandan Prasad has propelled me to take up this venture. The audience response proved the need for this genre. In keeping with this old Gujarati theatre tradition the music and singing is live in this play. A play on Narsinh Mehta cannot be anything but a musical. Music is an integral part of his work. He was not only a poet but a singer-performer as well which endeared him to people. What appeals to me is the poet's handling of both devotional and romantic poetry with equal ease. His compositions have been set in the traditional mould and are as popular today as they were 500 years ago.

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