Enthusiasts of theatrical artistry in Hyderabad are in for a delightful weekend treat, as they anticipate the presentation of the Hindi play ‘Petromax Panchayat’. Under the directorial baton of Surabhi Santhosh, the founder of Curtain Call Theatre, the stage is set to bring forth an evening of joy and musical charm. Santhosh, a dedicated thespian with a deep-seated love for musical plays, not only directs but also portrays the central character, Govind, in this highly engaging piece.
‘Petromax Panchayat’ transports its audience to the quaint setting of Kedarwadi village, located in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. It narrates the humorous yet poignant tale of Govind, a mechanic smitten with a young woman from the village. Their budding romance, however, incurs the wrath of the girl’s disapproving mother who calls for a village panchayat to expel him. Amidst this discord, the plot pivots around a petromax light – a beacon of progress the villagers have acquired but are inept at igniting. As fate would have it, Govind holds the key to illuminating their darkness, and he is granted clemency for his amorous transgressions, albeit in the name of development.
This production is cleverly laced with melodies that encapsulate the unfolding drama. Seven sonorous songs glide through the narrative, resonating with the harmonious beats of traditional instruments like the dappu, dholak, and harmonium – all performed live on stage. Bade Venkateswara Rao, the maestro behind the Telugu tunes, and Adnan Bismillah, the craftsman of the Hindi lyrics, have breathed life into these musical interludes.
The play itself is a creative adaptation of Phanishwar Nath Mandal Renu’s classic short story ‘Panchlait’. Originating from a period stretching from the 1930s to the 1950s, the story is set in a Bihar village bereft of electricity, where people are engrossed in the idiosyncrasies of their daily lives. The Telugu adaptation by Venkata Govada debuted at Ravindra Bharathi in 2022 and has enjoyed the spotlight over 25 times across the Telugu states. The intensity of this response propelled the troupe to translate the success into the Hindi adaptation that was initially staged in December 2023, featuring actors from the Sutradhar and Rangadhara theatre groups.
With a robust cast and crew of 21, the production offers a visual feast – the stage becomes a canvas on which dream sequences are painted and night scenes come to life with the glimmer of fireflies. A particularly creative sequence involves performers donning green pants with foam sheets manipulated to resemble sugarcane. The effect is a moonlit tryst where romantic hopes soar and fantasies envelop reality.
Santosh, hailing from the legendary Surabhi family known for their theatrical prowess in Telangana, asserts his technical savviness in the set design and atmospheric lighting, among other elements. Each scene on stage is a symphony of emotion and ambiance, meticulously crafted to lead audiences through a spectrum of moods.
The anticipation reaches its pinnacle as Curtain Call Theatre prepares to present ‘Petromax Panchayat’ in its Hindi rendition. Poised to be a captivating blend of humor, music, and storytelling, the performance is scheduled at the Telangana Saraswatha Parishath on January 20 from 7:30 pm. Devotees of drama and music can secure their tickets, priced at ₹300, through bookmyshow.com, and are ensured an opportunity to leave the venue with a buoyant heart and a humming tune.
