Hasya Rang Utsav, a three-day extravaganza celebrating the vibrant hues of laughter and theatre, recently concluded with resounding success. The event showcased a diverse blend of comedic talent, expressive storytelling, and exceptional performances that left the audience both entertained and reflective.
Day 1: A Tapestry of Comedy Woven with Social and Political Satire
Ahsaan Qureshi’s Shayari-style humour at Hasya Rang Utsav had the crowd in splits on the first day of the event. The runner-up in the Great Indian Laughter Challenge demonstrated his comic skill by skillfully weaving social and political satire into his performance. The play “Mera Pati Salman Khan,” written by Umesh Pandey, directed by Raj Upadhayay unraveled the comedic chaos as two friends reunite, spinning a web of exaggeration about their husbands’ handsomeness, wealth, and luxury lifestyles took the center stage. The Fahad Khan-directed and penned by Akbar Quadri comedy “Hakim.com” offered lighthearted respite while illuminating the social intricacies involved in the conflict between conventional and modern medical techniques. The day was an exhilarating ride filled with social commentary and fun.
Day 2: A Poetic Journey and Exploration of Aspirations and Reality
The second day kicked off with the hilarious comedy of renowned comedian Rajat Sood, a master of timing who seamlessly blended funny anecdotes with poetic rhythm, earning him the title of “Pomedy King.” The spotlight then shifted to the Silly Souls Foundation’s stage adaptation of ‘Hayee Padosan,’ directed and scripted by Priyanka Sharma. The drama skillfully navigated a love triangle while delivering a moving message about true love and respect. The evening continued with Shuddho Banerjee’s “Zindagi Once Again,” which won the Panchanan Pathak Hasya Natya Samaroh Best Production Award for its hilarious exploration of aspirations and reality. A story of satirical journey of three complaining couples who get the chance to fulfil their desire through the magical intervention of a tribal god in a seaside resort.
Day 3: A Blend of Fun and Heart-Touching Narratives
The last day of the laughter festival started off with Raja Rancho, also known as Rajkumar Javkar with his amazing ventriloquism and comdey act. His puppet persona, Rancho, gave the comic genius a distinctive touch. The audience was treated to a delightful and entertaining experience. This was followed by “Bingar Ki Joru” directed by Ravi Taneja and written by Dr. C.D Sidhu. This play portrays a larger story that resonates throughout India, going beyond the boundaries of a single village. Beyond the rural scenery, metropolitan settings also exhibit a hypocritical attitude towards women. The story explores the plight of a 15-year-old girl who, due to financial limitations, is forced to wed a 55-year-old man while juggling social customs and her parents’ honour. In a patriarchal culture that overlooks the sins of males while condemning female, the male-dominated Panchayat is hardly an exception. Seeto, the main character, is a 20-year-old girl forced into an unsuitable marriage who fights with decisions that change her life. Against the backdrop of a village, the incidents that force one to laugh also explores themes of cultural conventions, resiliency, and the tragic difficulties of a woman. The event concluded with the impactful play ‘Andhere Mein,’ directed by Sunil Rawat and written by Pratap Sehgal, providing a fitting finale to the laughter-filled spectacle. The story is about Brij Mehta, a struggling sculptor, and his fiancée, Kanti, hosting a party to impress Kanti’s imposing father, Colonel Malhotra, and Seth Chdammilal. Hoping to sell some of Brij’s sculptures, they’ve borrowed furniture from their meticulous neighbor, Harish, to enhance their flat’s appearance. Just as the guests are about to arrive, a power outage throws the flat into darkness. What ensues is a frenzied escapade involving unexpected visitors, mistaken identities, and surprises lurking in the shadows. The results are chaotic, disastrous, and incredibly amusing.
Addressing the audience, Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Language, Delhi Government, said, “I am delighted to witness the enthusiastic audience gathered to appreciate the performances of these emerging artists. These talents represent the essence of our nation and hold the torch of creativity high. It fills me with pride to extend my support and encouragement to these artists. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone present for contributing to the celebration of our vibrant artistic community.”
As the curtains fell on Hasya Rang Utsav, the echoes of laughter and the resonance of powerful narratives lingered, leaving an everlasting mark on the hearts of the audience. To treat the Delhiites with another great storytelling stage performance, Sahitya Kala Parishad is coming with Yuva Natya Samaroh starting from 8th to 12th January, 2024 at LTG Auditorium.