Artistes perform Alajuka Muhein Khada Gachha at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 13: The celebrated 17th century French play Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme or the Bourgeois Gentleman by Moliere was staged as an Odia adaptation on Tuesday at Rabindra Mandap by Mukti theatre group.

The satirical comedy received a grand response from theatre lovers of the city.

Titled Alajuka Muhein Khada Gachha, meaning shameless people, the play adapted by Manu Dash and directed by NSD alumnus Surya Mohanty not only entertained the city crowd, but also successfully registered the message it is known for.

Moliere’s play was a humorous criticism of the section of middle class people, who run after social status and aristocracy as well as those aristocrats who flaunt false prestige. The Odia play also revolved around the same theme.

While the original play had Jordan as the central character, here Murlidhar was the protagonist.

An old man from a middle-class background, who has some wealth accumulated, Muralidhar is an aspirant of fame and stature and can go to any foolish extent to get into the so called higher class.

In his silly endeavours to become a socialite, people, who make false promises to connect him to aristocrats, often dupe him. Despite sensible advice from his wife, he ignores any logic and runs after better status and even starts living in a false world where he already feels he is of high esteem in society because of his expensive clothes and lifestyle.

The play used contemporary tools when it came to expressions, be it dialogues or costumes and even the stage. Nothing was overwhelmingly forceful to convince the audience about either the theme or the look of the plot.

Veejayant Dash’s stagecraft, Pratap Rout’s music and the acting of the 20 odd artistes were unique compared to plays hosted usually at the auditorium.

“Even as an adaptation, the play was well made in Odia. It was transformed at the right places so we viewers could connect to it and find similarities in the life here. The falsehood and hollowness of the modern man was well reflected in the protagonist Murlidhar,” said a theatre lover, Ansuman Patnayak.

Director Mohanty, as always, ensured that audiences who believe in professional theatre viewed the play and hence a Rs 50 donation was collected from visitors. The play was also staged on Wednesday.