Theatre Review : Dara
We recently saw a play called 'Dara' at the National Theatre in London. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Dara portrays the struggle that had taken place between Shah Jahan's eldest son, Dara and his youngest son, Aurangzeb for the Mughal crown. We all know who had won, but most of us don't know how he had won it. This play is a story of what had happened between the two...
Dara had been his father's favourite forever, his chosen heir. While Aurangzeb had always been one of the other sons, younger and ignored. This childish rivalry had taken the shape of adult hatred, to the point that Aurangzeb killed Dara and enslaved his father for years to get to the crown.
The play details scenes from their childhood to adulthood; interactions between the brothers, with their sisters and father; of Aurangzeb's love for a Hindu woman; his getting together with his brother Murad to beat Dara; Dara's running away but getting caught due to his naivete; and then Aurangzeb getting rid of him. The whole flow shifts between years, and keeps you engaged throughout.
A highlight of the play was the display of the spiritual difference between the two. Dara was an open-minded Muslim, who believed in Hinduism as much as in Sufism. And this is what Aurangzeb used, to beat him. A high point of the play is the defence that Dara gives in the Sharia court of his open mindedness and respect for other religions. And on the other hand is Aurangzeb, who uses orthodox Islam for his own purposes.
The play was well staged, the characters all played their roles well, though spoke in British English:). The sets were great, the scene change smooth, the dresses were exquisite, the acting spot on. I loved the character who played Jahanara - she was someone who always tried to break the enmity between the two brothers, took care of her father and got just caught in between the whole family drama. Totally enjoyed the play...
Without revealing too much about the story, I would say it covered a whole saga which most of us wouldn't know of. I had by chance just read a book which had detailed Shah Jahan's life and the battle between the two, so for me it wasn't all new. But for anyone who doesn't know about this part of Indian history, Dara is a definite recommend. Would go for 4 stars for this one.
Dara portrays the struggle that had taken place between Shah Jahan's eldest son, Dara and his youngest son, Aurangzeb for the Mughal crown. We all know who had won, but most of us don't know how he had won it. This play is a story of what had happened between the two...
Dara had been his father's favourite forever, his chosen heir. While Aurangzeb had always been one of the other sons, younger and ignored. This childish rivalry had taken the shape of adult hatred, to the point that Aurangzeb killed Dara and enslaved his father for years to get to the crown.
The play details scenes from their childhood to adulthood; interactions between the brothers, with their sisters and father; of Aurangzeb's love for a Hindu woman; his getting together with his brother Murad to beat Dara; Dara's running away but getting caught due to his naivete; and then Aurangzeb getting rid of him. The whole flow shifts between years, and keeps you engaged throughout.
A highlight of the play was the display of the spiritual difference between the two. Dara was an open-minded Muslim, who believed in Hinduism as much as in Sufism. And this is what Aurangzeb used, to beat him. A high point of the play is the defence that Dara gives in the Sharia court of his open mindedness and respect for other religions. And on the other hand is Aurangzeb, who uses orthodox Islam for his own purposes.
The play was well staged, the characters all played their roles well, though spoke in British English:). The sets were great, the scene change smooth, the dresses were exquisite, the acting spot on. I loved the character who played Jahanara - she was someone who always tried to break the enmity between the two brothers, took care of her father and got just caught in between the whole family drama. Totally enjoyed the play...
Without revealing too much about the story, I would say it covered a whole saga which most of us wouldn't know of. I had by chance just read a book which had detailed Shah Jahan's life and the battle between the two, so for me it wasn't all new. But for anyone who doesn't know about this part of Indian history, Dara is a definite recommend. Would go for 4 stars for this one.
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