What is so wrong about seeking pleasures in the simple things in life? Can greed be the mother of creativity? When does pleasure-seeking border hedonism? How much is too austere?

IAGB, the premier area community organization sought to answer these questions and other weighty ones via the hilarious play Shatranj Ke Mohare on November 1 2003 at the Burlington High School in MA.
As theater lovers trudged into the hall after braving chill winds and a typical New England foul Fall weather, the sight of the magnificent sets created by Mr. Kishore Pathare welcomed and cheered them as did pleasant ushers and IAGB volunteers. There were gasps and whispers of awe and appreciation that turned into applause and laughs as the play progressed.

Viewers seemed reluctant to take their eyes off the stage or ears off the dialogues even though the script, sophisticated and in pure chaste Hindi took some getting used to. Said an enthusistic audience member, Mr. Gupta to this reviewer” it is a pleasure to hear this language spoken so well. I now realize how much I have missed it!” Similar sentiments were voiced by many in the audience as they grappled with and appreciated the logic behind this beloved work originally penned in Marathi by the famous litterateur P. L. Deshpande almost fifty years ago as "Tuzhe Aahe Tujapashi".

“The play has been staged over 5000 times to date and is a simple, light-hearted, cheerful yet thought-provoking comedy about self-actualization” said Dr. Vinod Chungi , Executive Committee member, IAGB, an active performer and behind-the-scenes force for SKM. “The achievement of one's full potential, not through blind imitation of an icon, but through independence, creativity, spontaneity and a grasp of the real world is what is important and relevant.” He added.

Set in the 1950's against the backdrop of the decline of the princely state of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), the play juxtaposes the traditional, pleasure-seeking ways of the old nobility (embodied by Kakaji Bakshi) with the nationalistic lifestyle of his niece Usha.

Acharya Pande, a national authority on the austere way of life enters the scene, quickly converting Shyam, Usha's younger brother and a free-spirited college student to his way of thinking. While battling his feelings for the Acharyaji’s foster daughter Gita, the hapless youth finds it hard to practice austerity, leading to many a hilarious situation.

Each and everyone of the cast breathed life into the character portrayed, performing with an ease and confidence rarely seen in amateurs.
Complex questions about life and the way we choose to lead it were answered with gentle humor and wit.
While comparing the extreme lifestyles: one that seeks happiness from within and the other from outside, the denoument is a challenge thrown to the audience, What is so wrong about seeking pleasures in the simple things in life? Can greed be the mother of creativity? When does pleasure-seeking border hedonism? How much is too austere?

Local artists ,Mohan Dali, Durgesh Vaidya, Vinod Chungi, Sudhakar Garad, Amit Oturkar, Vivek Sharma, Jayashree Shahane, Sumit Malik, Sanjeevani Kukreja, Rama Sharma, Vimi Verma, and Jyotsna Mhatre (mother of Amol Mhatre of “Leela” fame) floored the audience with radiant performances.

” This proves that local artists are great, we don’t need famous Bollywood types to come here to have a quality performance, performed and produced by local artists, right here in Massachussetts.” Said a theater enthusiast who preferred to remain anonymous. “ It is particularly gratifying to see and organization such as IAGB working to bring the community such a superior production. “ She added. “ Both Shubha Chungi, the producer and Mohan Dali, the director deserve accolades for this magnificent effort.”

Credit is also due to Mr. Ram Voruganti, the past president of IAGB and Dr. Anupam Wali, President, IAGB for putting up such a superior show.

Cast
Mohan Dali - Kakaji,
Durgesh Vidya - Shyam,
Vinod Chungi - Munimji,
Sudhakar Garad - Jagannath,
Amit Oturkar - Mangal
Vivek Sharma - Satish,
Jayashree Shahane - Usha,
Sunit Malik - Acharya,
Sanjeevani Kukreja - Geeta,
Joystna Mahtre - Mrs. Wadkar,
Vimi Verma - Mrs. Metha
Rama Sharma - Mrs. Bhargava

Photo Credits - Mr. Kishore Pathare

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