THE ICING on the cake of the cultural fare had to be the last day of the Lucknow Mahotsava. In a fitting farewell to the 2006 edition of the mega event, the solo act of thespian Shekhar Sen left a lasting impression in the hearts of theatre lovers here.
Mumbaite Shekhar’s one-man show ‘Kabir’ began only after the organizers agreed to the actor’s conditions.
Lights of the pandal were put off and all advertisements and banners on the stage were covered with black, white and coarse pieces of cloth. All this was done to create an atmosphere akin to the times of Kabir and to resemble the house of a weaver. So serious was Shekhar about the setting that he threatened to quit the show when authorities requested him to spare the banners.
The play, which was a narrative on the life of Kabir, took the audience back to the era of the unlettered and unschooled saint. Shekhar as Kabir not only displayed his acting prowess but also sang bhajans and left the gathering spellbound.
So focussed was the actor throughout the presentation that even the flashbulbs of cameras disturbed him. He had to interrupt the play and ask lensmen to stop clicking.
{{/usCountry}}So focussed was the actor throughout the presentation that even the flashbulbs of cameras disturbed him. He had to interrupt the play and ask lensmen to stop clicking.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, local artistes presented some lively items. Menakshi of AIR presented some folk songs, while Jaya Shukla and Anjini Upadhaya regaled the audience with Bhojpuri numbers. Monalisa Misra’s fusion dance form added variety to the show.
The organisers filled in the intervals with some local performances. Local artistes danced to Hindi oldies and kept the audience engrossed.