Haryana Chief Secretary, Mrs Urvashi Gulati, felicitating the artists of the play ‘Bhikshu and Ganika’ at Tagore Theater, Chandigarh on December 9, 2011. The play was directed by Dr Rani Balbir Kaur Artistic Director, Folk Theatre Workshop, Chandigarh. Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information and Public Relations Department Haryana, Mr Shiv Raman Gaur was also present on the occasion.
The play is set in a stylized form that draws from the ancient tradition of Sanskrit Drama. “Bhikshu aur Ganika” is a seventh century Sanskrit farce by King Mahender Vikram Varman, who is also known as Bodhyan. It is translated in Hindi by Nemichandra Jain an eminent Scholar, Poet and Professor of Indian Theatre. The play not only connects us to our ancient heritage and to our rich treasure of Sanskrit Theatre but also emphasized on the human and spiritual values. The play revolves around a Buddhist Monk and a Courtesan and how, their souls get exchanged and how with the exchange of souls their physical identities change too. “Bhikshu Aur Ganikai” is a spectacular production that celebrates the glorious heritage of Classical Indian Drama.