22.03.2024 (Friday)
MITHYABADI ZINDABAD
CANMASS, Odisha
Sriman N. Mishra
Odia
80 Mins
THE DIRECTOR…..
Sriman N. Mishra, is an actor, theatre director, playwright and poet. He has been working for the cause of Theatre for more than 20 years. His contribution to Odia theatre as an actor, director, playwright and organizer led dimensions in respective directions. He has started working as a director since long as an armature practitioner and off let taken up direction in professional approach and this adventure has no end. For the last 20 years, he has been organizing a National Theatre festival popularly known as “Canfest” at Paradip, the only port city of Odisha, in which the theatre repertories of various parts of India as well as from the state have been participating.
“Gandhi Bhumikare” (In the role of Gandhi), “Se Marigale” (He passed Away), “Chandrama Ra Chudi” (The bangles of Chandrama), “Andhara Ra Suryamukhi” (The sunflower at Night), “Mangala Mahuri Ra Tana”, “Gandhinka Odisha” etc. are a bunch of plays directed by him. As a theatre critic and poet, he has contributed articles to many magazines and periodicals.
THE GROUP…..
“CANMASS” is one of the leading cultural organizations in the state of Odisha, promoting Theatre, literature & Folk art for more than two decades. ‘‘Canmass’’ has been organizing a National Theatre Festival at Paradip, the only port city of the state, since last Twenty years (i.e. from 2004) inviting many eminent troupes from different parts of Country as well as from the state. This festival is popularly named as ‘‘CANFEST’’.
Since inception the organization has been involved in various Theatre and Literary activities like literary discussions, State level poetry reading session, Discussion of theatre arts, production of stage plays, Theatre Workshop for students and Children Theatre Festival. Canmass is also imparting a Short-Term Certificate Course on ‘‘Acting, Newscasting and Anchoring’’ under ‘‘Canmass School of Performing Arts (CASPA) for the young talents who are aspirant to build up a career in Theatre and Media.
‘‘Canmass’’ as a theatre group has been participated in various National and State level Theatre festivals. Few of them are Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Adirang Mahotsav Organized by National School of Drama, ‘Minerva National Theatre Festival, Kolkata, ‘‘Bahuroopi’’ National Theatre Festival by ‘‘Rangayan’’, Mysore and “Rang Sangam” a state level Theatre Festival organized by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.
THE PLAY…..
The mantra of “Kaliyuga” is to deal in fake & lies. The naked truth always hurts everyone. It is really difficult to tell the truth in present days. If someone tells the truth he feels breathless and on the contrary by telling lies, people feel lighter and amused. Lies are the power of these modern days, more specifically after massive use of cell phones. The divine nature inherent human to abstain from lying, stealing and committing crime. But human nature certainly promotes all this. We have to admit that human is the slave of bad habits and ill practices. However, amidst all, it is the gospel that truth is eternal and universal, which cannot be ignored by any means.
“Mithyabadi Zindabad” is a dramatization of the original story of the “Bijuli Chula” (The Crematorium) by the notable story writer of Odisha, Mr. Paresh Pattanaik and dramatized by Prof. (Dr) Sanjaya Hati, a senior playwright of our time. The number of characters has been improvised for theatrical rendering. The dialogue is presented in a dramatic structure, but the original speech of the narrator is not undermined in any case. All events and characters described in it are completely fictional. Any resemblance shall be considered as an accident.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE…..
I have chosen this play as it carries contemporary value and reflects the destination of current social system & morality. The story of Paresh Pattnaik & its’ appropriate dramatization by Prof. Sanjay Hati has prompted me strongly to stage this, though I have changed some portion in presentation keeping the theme intact.
This is basically a satire & its’ presentation is very difficult. However, I have chosen a set of dedicated actors to compose the dramatic elements of this play. To elevate the standard of the presentation, I have used some choreography to add entertainment to the audience. We have performed this play successfully more than twenty shows in different platforms including State Level Festival by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi & National Theatre Festival by Smaraki Natya Anusthan at Bhawanipatna, Odisha.
Cast & Credit …
