Bhubaneswar: The International Theatre Festival of India, also known as Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) – New Delhi, kicked off here at Rabindra Mandap with the Hindi play Taj Mahal Ka Tender.
Written by Ajay Shukla and directed by NSD Director Chittaranjan Tripathy, the play was presented by the Repertory Company from Delhi. The plot revolves around Moghul ruler Shah Jahan who emerges from the past and seeks to build the Taj Mahal in the present. He appoints a CPWD engineer to erect the memorial. The engineer and his colleagues delay the project they see it as an opportunity to make money. The tender for the Taj Mahal’s construction takes around 25 years to float. Shah Jahan’s dream monument is not erected, but the engineer does manage to construct a few structures including a shopping mall. While waiting for a mausoleum, the emperor dies.
Among the dignitaries Odia Language, Literature and Culture Director Dilip Kumar Routray, Kadambini Editor Iti Samant, OFDC Chairman Kuna Tripathy, Director Subash Das, and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Secretary Prabodh Rath were present on the occasion.