E-Paper
When Bahadur Shah Zafar rose to salvage the situation
THE WORLD of theatre has been exquisitely rich in Allahabad and many artistes are playing a crucial role to enrich it further. Some of these artistes are so engrossed in drama that they can hardly spare their time for any other profession. Their fad for drama might not have fetched a handsome income, they have certainly earned name and fame through this art.
THE WORLD of theatre has been exquisitely rich in Allahabad and many artistes are playing a crucial role to enrich it further. Some of these artistes are so engrossed in drama that they can hardly spare their time for any other profession. Their fad for drama might not have fetched a handsome income, they have certainly earned name and fame through this art.
Bipin Tandon is one among those, who have left an indelible mark in the field of theatre. Inspired by Ramlila plays during his childhood, the 75-year-old exponent of the theatre art is still active and is even willing to groom the budding artistes. Though there is a lack of interest in the younger generation, some of them are, of course, still willing to learn the art with full enthusiasm.
"Theatre requires a lot of labour. Due to old age, I am less interested in movement. However, if somebody comes to me with a longing to learn something I am always available to give them whatever I can," he says modestly.
Recipient of several awards, Tandon was felicitated by All India Radio, Allahabad in 1999 when it celebrated its golden jubilee year. He has been associated with AIR since 1955.
The excerpts of the interview:
Inspired by Ramlila plays which were staged during the festival of Dussehra, I started participating in plays at Ewing Christian College and later became a member of the theatre team of Allahabad University when I was a student of BA. I got an opportunity to take part in the Youth Festival held in Delhi and performed in a play.
After doing BA, I went to Bombay (now Mumbai) and joined Prithvi Theatre as an apprentice and remained there for six months. Prithvi Raj Kapoor was a great lover of art and used to polish all artistes who were associated with his group.
He was very strict during training and very affectionate otherwise. That six-month training proved to be very useful throughout my life. Within a few days I and Shammi Kapoor, son of Prithvi Raj Kapoor, became very good friends and I used to visit his Mahim residence.
I cannot forget the perfectionist approach of Prithvi Raj Kapoor. Once during the rehearsal of a play, instead of left foot, I took my right foot forward and he lost his cool and scolded me. Later, he taught me the nuances of acting. In Bombay, I also acted in two films 'Gawaiya' and 'Khushboo.'
After staying for over two years in Bombay, I came back to Allahabad and started working with Vimla Raina, an expert script writer and drama producer. She was wife of the then district magistrate of Allahabad JM Raina. We were working with Allahabad Culture Centre in the beginning. Later, we formed a separate theatre group 'Rangshala' under the leadership of Vimla Raina. The name of the troupe was given by the renowned poet Dr Haribansh Rai Bachchan.
His wife Teji Bachchan too was a member of the group. Rangshala team used to stage plays in other cities also.
In 1957, there were plans to celebrate the centenary year of the first war of independence. The DM asked his wife Vimla Raina to stage a play based on the war of 1857. Though only two weeks were left, we worked hard and prepared a play 'Roti aur Kamal ka Phool.' We rehearsed the play for many hours daily and on May 10, the play was staged in Company Garden. Thousands of people had gathered to enjoy the play in which I played the role of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperor of India.
The play became so popular that we were invited to stage it in Delhi too. I can never forget that an untoward incident that took place during the play was made a part of the play and the audience too enjoyed it. The play was staged at the AIFC Hall.
There was a scene in which Zafar was persuaded to lead the war of independence by Nana Saheb and Tatya Tope and when Zafar agreed to the proposal, everybody was overjoyed. Ultimately before they took Zafar's permission to leave the emperor offers: "Isi baat par ek daur-e-jaam ho jaye."
And soon, a kaneez (female attendant) brings a tray of filled glasses. But, suddenly she slipped and fell down (The role of kaneez was being played by Mukta Srivastava).
Just to overcome the situation, I (in role of Zafar) rose from my 'takht' (throne) and shouted in anger -- Gulbadannn..., looking towards her. And reciprocating the gesture, she rose and went back offering me salutes. And within no time another artiste entered with another tray. This was how we overcame the situation.
We had also staged a play 'Savera' at Teen Murti House, the residence of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The play was watched by the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Nehru and ambassadors and high commissioners of several countries. Nehru was a great art lover. We used to rehearse the play till late night and Nehru was once spotted witnessing our rehearsal from a distance.
