Sahir Ludhianvi's Poetic Universe Takes Center Stage in Lucknow
The timeless words of legendary poet Sahir Ludhianvi echoed through the Sant Gadge auditorium at Sangeet Natak Akademi on Friday evening. The musical drama 'Another Encore of Sahir: Har Ik Pal Ka Shayar' transported the audience into the poet's complex emotional landscape.
A Journey Through Verse and Rebellion
Produced by Rajiv Pradhan, the production delved deep into Sahir's world. It explored his life lived through poetry, pulsating with themes of rebellion, love, loss, and an unwavering search for truth. The play celebrated Sahir not just as a master lyricist but as a restless conscience constantly grappling with justice and beauty.
Written by Chandra Shekhar Varma and directed by Gopal Sinha, the drama offered a poignant portrayal of the poet's ideological universe. Instead of presenting a straightforward biography, it ventured inward, examining Sahir's personal relationships, his moments of disillusionment, his quiet reflections, and his passionate activism.
Powerful Performances Bring Characters to Life
The cast delivered compelling performances that resonated throughout the auditorium. Dr Sudhanshu Mani portrayed Sahir Ludhianvi with remarkable authenticity. His impeccable Urdu diction and resonant baritone voice truly brought the poet's spirit to the stage.
Rupali Chandra embodied Amrita Pritam with grace and emotional intensity, capturing the essence of the iconic Punjabi poet. Chandra Shekhar Varma, serving as narrator, maintained the narrative's rhythm and continuity with skillful delivery.
Supporting actors Anuradha Tandon, Amit Harsh, Jyoti Singh, Aftab Alam, Adil, and Rohit Tandon provided strong performances that enriched the overall production.
Visual and Musical Highlights
Gopal Sinha's stage design and lighting created a visual canvas that enhanced the storytelling. The atmospheric elements heightened the emotional texture of the performance, drawing the audience deeper into Sahir's world.
A major highlight of the evening came with live musical performances. Prabha Srivastava and Pankaj Kumar sang classic Hindi film songs penned by Sahir with remarkable emotional depth. Their renditions of timeless compositions received thunderous applause from the captivated audience.
An Evening to Remember
Anupama S Mani anchored the evening's proceedings with professional grace. As the final curtain fell, the haunting echo of Sahir's unforgettable words 'Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar' lingered in the auditorium, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
The event received sponsorship support from the State Bank of India and YONO. The production successfully reminded everyone why Sahir Ludhianvi remains one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated poets, whose words continue to resonate across generations.
