Jamshedpur: The Bhojpuri comedy-satire one-act play, ‘Yamalok Main Corruption, written by Jamshedpur-based litterateur and satirist Arvind Vidrohi, was staged at Muktdhara, Gol Market, New Delhi, on February 16, 2025. The play was organized by the theatre institution “Rangshree”, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was directed by Mahendra Prasad Singh, the founder of Rangshree, who has been dedicated to promoting Bhojpuri theatre for decades.
The play left the audience in splits with its humorous take on modern societal issues. It cleverly used satire to criticize the consumption of unhealthy foods promoted by TV advertisements and mocked the ongoing trend of free liquor schemes. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the witty dialogues and engaging performances, making the evening a memorable one.
The play featured Soumitra Verma in a double role as Yamraj and the priest, while Akhilesh Pandey portrayed the rebellious soul and Yajman with great comic timing. Their dialogue delivery and expressive performances were widely appreciated.
Vijay Yadav as Yamdoot, Rustam, and Chitragupt, who brought humor and wit to his characters.
Kriti, Kirti, Praveen, Faiz, Satyadev Singh, Ashok Yadav, and Prabhat Ranjan delivered commendable supporting performances, adding depth and vibrancy to the play.
The light design by Sandeep and music by Rashmi were highly praised for enhancing the theatrical experience and complementing the play’s satirical narrative.
After this another Bhojpuri one-act play, “Shani Ki Sadhesati”, written by Brahmeshwar Nath Tiwari from Bokaro Steel City, was also staged. This play humorously exposed the exploitation of innocent people by astrologers who use planetary transits and Shani’s Sadhesati to instill fear and extract money.
Established in 1993, Rangshree has been dedicatedly staging Bhojpuri plays in Delhi, keeping the regional language and culture alive. Under the leadership of Mahendra Prasad Singh, the institution continues to promote Bhojpuri literature and performing arts, showcasing thought-provoking and entertaining plays to diverse audiences.
