IPTA presents "Akbar Ki Mehbooba-Anarkali" Hindi Play at Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg > 6:30pm on 2nd-4th April 2013

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Time : 6:30 pm

Entry : by Invitation only, Invitations can be collected from the venue if available prior to the show. 

Place : Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, New Delhi-110001
Venue Info : Events | About | Map | Nearest Metro Station - 'Mandi House(Blue Line)'

Area : Events at Mandi House Area

Event Description : IPTA presents 'Akbar Ki Mehbooba-Anarkali' Hindi Play. 

Anarkali’s tragic story is part of oral history and a semi-historical legend, told by many Mughal time contemporary merchants, chronicles, and historians. There are many views about Anarkali’s life and death.

The play “Akbar Ki Mehbooba-Anarkali” is one such view.

Researched from many sources including Italian Historian Niccolao Manucci—a native of Venice and writer of the well-read series “Mogul India”, Dirk Collier, Belgian historian and visiting Professor at the University of Antwerp and British Historian Alex Rutherford author of the popular series “Empire of the Moghul: Ruler of the World”, this play gives an eye-opening point of view about Anarkali that is different from the popular and well-known romantic legend of Anarkali and Salim.

In this play Akbar is Anarkali’s lover.

The story of Salim’s seduction of Akbar’s favorite concubine Anarkali was first mentioned by an English merchant William Finch who visited Hindustan between 1608 and 1611, eleven years after the supposed death of Anarkali.

Lust, Seduction, Betrayal— Plotting, Conniving, Deceit —Murder, Conflict, Destruction—these are the hallmarks of this play.

It is the interplay of powerful emotions between Salim and Anarkali, Akbar and Salim, Salim and his mother Jodhabai, Salim and Akbar’s mother Hamida, Akbar’s Court historian Abul Fazl, Salim and Akbar.

The Story line/Scenes:

Anarkali, a belle-dancer courtesan from Venice, Italy is gifted to Akbar by a Turkish Sultan who wants to establish trade relations with Hindustan.

Akbar is enamored by the ‘Pomegranate-complexioned-beauty and she becomes his favorite concubine.

Anarkali does a seductive and amorous belle-dance when Akbar introduces her in the durbar.

Lust-at-first-sight causes an obsessed Salim to bribe Akbar’s harem-keeper and seduces Anarkali into his bed. An ambitious Anarkali willingly responds.

Salim tries to bribe the harem guard again but is caught.

A furious Akbar summarily sentences Anarkali to death and Salim is exiled to Afghanistan.

In a bitter tirade Jodhabai accuses Salim of being as debauched and morally wrong as his Mughal ancestors.

Infuriated Salim plans a rebellion against his father but Akbar’s mother Hamida’s careful handling and statesmanship averts a catastrophe. Her brilliant rationale convinces Salim to stem his revolt against Akbar as it will herald the death-knell of the glorious Taimur lineage.

IPTA first staged the popular, traditional story of the romance between Salim and Anarkali in 1971 with Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem starring as the ill-fated lovers.

In 2000 IPTA did another version. In an extension of the traditional approach and through additional scenes, the play depicted how Anarkali was a victim of honour killing—killed more to assuage family honour rather than the honour of the kingdom.

Now being staged—IPTA’s 3rd version “Akbar Ki Mehbooba-Anarkali” is more of a westernized concept where Anarkali is first Akbar’s paramour.

Written and Directed by Aziz Quraishi

Related Events : Theatre | HindiUrduPlays