Bahurupiya

• “Bahurupiya is a nearly extinct theatrical art form in India that thrived for centuries but was left behind in the pursuit of modernity. This tradition was mainly prevalent in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• In India, some states like Rajasthan, Bengal, and Jharkhand still have a few Bahurupiya artists trying to preserve this art form. Typically, it’s a solo performance where an artist assumes a character, such as Shiva, Durga, Kali, Ravana, a film star, or an animal, and acts out that role. Sometimes, they deliver dialogues, entertain people, or convey social messages.”
• “Rajesh Kumar’s Hindi solo play ‘Bahurupiya’, acted and directed by Lucky Guptaa, is a fictional story based on the life of a Bahurupiya. The play explores the reasons behind the decline of this art form and portrays the Bahurupiya as a people’s hero who dares to challenge business and power alone.
• Luckyji Gupta is essentially a solo actor and is known in India for his experimental theatre. As a director, he started off with children’s dramas… Luckyji has directed over 70 children’s dramas so far… He has directed over 100 children’s theatre workshops across the country.. His directed plays include “Revolt 1857”, “Toba Tek Singh”, “Gandhi”, “Bal Ramayana”, “Bacche Man Ke Sachche”, “Ayo Khailne Ek Khail”, “Suraj” (solo), “Maa Ami Robi Thakur Hote Chhai” (solo), “Zero” (solo), “Maa Mujhe Tagore Bana De”, “Behrupiya”…

Adab

• The story “Adab” is set against the backdrop of the communal riots of 1946. The two main characters are a boatman and a cotton-mill worker.
• During the riots and curfew, both of them take shelter behind a dustbin to save their lives. At first, they are overwhelmed by fear and suspicion, as neither wants to reveal their religious identity. Gradually, they begin talking and discover that the sorrows, struggles, poverty, and desires in their lives are the same—far above any religious differences.
• By the end of their conversation, they wish each other well and bid farewell with “Adab.” Moments later, the cotton-mill worker hears gunshots and realizes that the police have probably mistaken the boatman for a looter and shot him—another casualty of the riots.
• The essence of the play is that in times of danger, humans forget religion and caste, and stand by one another simply as human beings. Humanity is the greatest identity.