Pocketmar Rangmandal’ is bitter truth of artists’ life

The life of an artist is never easy. It is even more difficult when he belongs to that part of society which is considered ‘unacceptable’ by some people. But art is something that gives the artist an interminable power to fight and overcome every obstacle or challenge that may interrupt his path. Till this date, artists all over the world face problems like not getting enough exposure or recognition and not getting paid as much their talent deserves.

similarly themed play was staged on 9th august 2019 by Natyansh Society of Dramatics and Performing Arts at Zonal Railway Training Institute, Udaipur. The play named ‘Pocketmaar Rangmandal’ written by writer Asghar Wajahat revolves around a pickpocket ‘Bhagwan’. The second show was performed at Natyansh Workplace, Sadri Haveli on 11 August 2019. The story tells how Bhagwan takes an immediate liking to Parsi theatre, the first time he watches a Parsi play and dedicates his whole life to it leaving the life of pick pocketing behind. Though even after diligently working for the theatre group he fails to achieve the recognition he deserves because in the eyes of others he was just a pickpocket, a criminal.

Bhagwan’s life takes a turn when he is advised by his friend, Munna Tyagi to form his own group which Bhagwan names ‘Pocketmaar Rangmandal’ as he seeks to bring all those people who just like him had no option other than take the path of thievery in their lives. Veera, Nasreen, Aabda begum, Babli, Lalu, etc. join Bhagwan’s group. But challenges do not end here. No auditorium manager allows them to perform on the stage. One manager does allow only on the condition of providing double amount, that too in advance. After years of leaving the path of pick pocketing, the situation forces Bhagwan to return to it so as to pay the amount of auditorium. Only this time he gets caught. Fate favors Bhagwan and his group as the inspector himself turns out to be an art lover and gives him the required amount. The aura of extreme stress and tension in the group suddenly changes to joy as Bhagwan shows up with the money, hands it over to the arrogant manager and calls him the real ‘Pocketmaar’ of the show!

The audience enjoyed the small scenes of Parsi play ‘Khoobsurat Bala’ presented beautifully by the artists. The play showed a fantastic blend of comedy and tragedy as all the characters being theatre artists are comical. On one hand character of Babli played by Disha Saxena is developed as the chain snatcher who now is a theatre artist in Bhagwan’s group and Laalu, played by Piyush Gurunani is shown as the newcomer in Bhagwan’s group who is also the youngest of them all. On the other hand, an endearing love inculcates between Veera played by Raghav Gurjargour and Nasreen played by Isha Jain shown by scenes of them bickering about each other and then finally accepting their love. The arrogant manager of the auditorium and the art loving inspector were proficiently played by Mahesh Joshi and Agastya Hardik Nagda respectively both of whom were also seen in the roles of men who try to molest Nasreen and harm Abda but are defeated by Bhagwan. Munna Tyagi, Bhagwan’s constant support, was played by Chakshu Singh Rupawat and Bhagwan by Amit shrimali. Other on-stage artists included Harshul Pandya, Anshul Paliwal, and Jatin Solanki. The team behind every successful play always includes some artists behind the curtain. These are the backstage artists of the play - Rahul Solanki, Niti Sharma, Saloni Patel and Sanjay Solanki. Mohammed Rizwan Mansuri gave melodious music to play, Ashfaq Noor Khan Pathan took in charge of light designing, Yogeeta Sisodia was in makeup and costume designing. The play was adeptly directed by Rekha Sisodia who also played the role of Abda Amma.