Dramatisation: Kaifi Azmi
Design & Direction: M. S. Sathyu & R. M. Singh
Music: Kuldip Singh & Iqbal Quereshi
Cast: A K Hangal, Bharat Kapoor, Ramesh Talwar, Rakesh Bedi, Mac Mohan, Javed Khan, Aanjjan Srivastav, Kuldip Singh, Masood Akhtar, Akhilendra Mishra, Bansi Thapar, Javed Siddiqi, Sushil Kumar, Rajan Kapur, Surendra Gupta, Ram Swaroop Mago, Vivek Marwah, Om Prakash, Pramod Dubey, Shakir Ali, Salim Arif, Harpreet Singh, Rajeev Jha, Darshan Sengar, Pandit Ratan Sharma, Murlidhar, Jasvinder Singh, Raman Kumar, Jaspaul Sandhu, Amrit Pal et al
Akhiri Shama is a play based on Farhatullah Baig’s book “Dilli Ka Yaadgar Mushaira”, which had been dramatised by Kaifi Azmi & directed by M. S. Sathyu. The play has been opened after a gap of a few years with bumper response & appreciation of the audiences. It opened on 22nd Dec, 2015 at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai with a houseful show and later on, on 28th Dec, 2015 in Solapur.
The plotted scenario of the mushaira, which forms the basis of the heart warming play, Akhiri Shama, was the last of its kind in the Mughal Court. The court had a tradition of hosting an annual mushaira at the Red Fort. In 1857 when the law & order failed in the city of Delhi, it was evident that the mushaira would be cancelled. But there was 1 person named Maulvi Karimuddin, who went from pillar to post to organize the mushaira. The custom was to place a bowl with a candle or flame in front of the poet whose turn it was to recite. With it the restless “Shama” ended its adventurous & romantic journey. Action gave way to inaction & life to death. Since then this “Shama” has not stirred. Akhiri Shama is of historic significance too. Like the custom of the “Shama”, it was the last such symposium held under the direct patronage of the royal palace.
The 1st half of the play Akhiri Shama is devoted to vivid description of the changes that were overtaking Delhi at break – neck speed. The old Delhi, which was gay, lively & colorful even in its decadence. The city of Delhi is seen lying in ruins after the holocaust of 1857. Visibly moved by the pathetic sight, Ghalib tells in his own words his sad impressions of the unimaginable devastation & destruction that had taken place. It was the indefatigable Maulvi Karimuddin, in whose fertile brain the idea of organising a mushaira originates. He visits place after place, meeting poets, talking with them & even arguing with them. In fact, he makes frantic calls not only on celebrities but also on those who were not well – known. He goes to the royal palace to obtain King Bahadur Shah Zafar’s approval. Maulvi Karimuddin’s zeal, his enthusiasm, his sincerity & his devotion ultimately bears fruit and they all agree to participate in the mushaira. The last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, whom circumstances over which he had no control, prevented him from appearing in person, deputes his son, prince Fatuh – ul – Mulk & Mirza Fakhruddin ‘Ramz’ to preside over it. Not only that, he also sends a ghazal to be recited at the mushaira. This shows how much importance King Bahadur Shah attached to this mushaira. The 2nd half is a factual record of the mushaira itself. The great Masters, Ghalib, Momin, Zauq, Daag and others are seen in all their dignity & glory. Their literary encoutners, their digs, their jibes, their bouquets, their brickbats, their sincere appreciation as well as their malicious comments, all lend color & charm to the function.
The play, Akhiri Shama happens to be the play which is very uniquely stylish & offbeat. It is a totally different play from any other play that has ever been staged in the history of the theatre world. First of all it takes you to the period of the 19th century when Mughal Empire had been coming to an end completely & the English rule was on its full peak. Most impressive of all is the Urdu language spoken flawlessly by all the actors in toto. The sets, the lights & above all the costumes designed by M. S. Sathyu appears to be very realistic & remarkable which was appropriately suiting to the milieu of both the British and above all the Mogul period. In fact the mushaira phase which is held in the 2nd half also looks very realistic & remarkable which rightly convinces the viewers about the plight of the mushairas of Delhi of that particular period.
Performance wise all the actors have delivered a par excellence act. And above all a special well – deserved mention must be made of Ramesh Talwar who plays the character of Karimuddin displaying his extraordinary histrionic skills with finesse.
Tail Piece: Akhiri Shama is one, out of the blue, stage play that should not be missed once it comes to your place of choice, in your nearest town of your nearest city.
