A tribute
JAISHANKAR PRASAD
(January 30, 1889 – January 14, 1937)
WHILE CLIMBING the stairs to the stage, all of us — who loved theatre and were part of it since our student days — have had rendezvous with Jaishankar Prasad. I mentioned student days because Prasad ji has been part of our educational curriculum, and all of us have come across his piece of literature at some or the other phase of our life. The reason why I am recalling Prasad ji is his 122nd birth anniversary on January 30. These words are my tribute to the legend of the Hindi literary world.
This Kashi-born literary figure is primarily known as the pioneer of Chayavaadi (romantic) poetry who filled historical colours on the canvas of the Indian theatre.
His plays established the greatness of Indian culture through modern idioms and structures. He composed his first play, Sajjan, in 1911, which was based on Mahabharat with prose dialogues in Hindi and verses in Brajbhasha. He borrowed mythological characters like Nandi and Sutradhar as a communicator in his plays. His first significant play, Rajyasri, was written in 1915, followed by Samudragupta, Ajaatshatru, Skandagupta, Chandragupta, Dhruvaswamini — all based on the mythological plots.
His plots, revolving around idealism and nationalism, were very close to Indian traditions in terms of vision and purpose, but were influenced by the Western style in treatment and structure. He was inspired by D.L. Roy, a Bengali poet, playwright, and musician, known primarily for his Indian and Bengali patriotic plays and songs.
Prasad ji’s language uplifted the standard of Indian plays. He was inspired by vedas and had etymological understanding of Urdu, Bengali and English. He dived deep into the world of archaeology and history to understand his subjects and create the backdrop for his plays. Prasad ji addressed issues ranging from social, religious political and emotional. Depiction of women in Prasad’s plays were extraordinary for his time. His poetic sensibility helped him unleash the multi-layers of his characters and conflicts of human emotions.
But the stage did not accept his work in his lifetime. Prasad’s scripts were considered too complex to be presented on stage due to multiple act changes and various characters, until legend directors such as B.V. Karanth and Shanta Gandhi experimented with his work in contemporary style.
Prasad belonged to the time where the idea of hero was important. Nation and generations required those legends and their stories to stride ahead. With his ink, he created several such larger than life legends for his time and space.
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