DH NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, Apr 20
Natrang, one of the leading theatre organizations of Jammu and Kashmir, added another gem to its acclaimed weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’ by presenting a hilarious and thought-provoking play titled ‘Commission’. The play, written by legendary writer Saadat Hasan Manto and skillfully directed by Neeraj Kant, offered a powerful blend of satire and humor, leaving the audience both entertained and introspective.
‘Commission’ is a biting satire that cleverly mirrors the absurdities of modern-day governance through the lens of a fictional emperor who thrives on public relations, commissions, and deflections. Set in a surreal yet relatable modern courtroom, the play explores how an emperor, symbolic of contemporary rulers, manipulates systems and narratives to escape accountability, all while appearing to serve justice.
The play opens in the court of a flamboyant emperor accompanied by his two head butlers. The emperor, portrayed as a delusional and exaggerated caricature of a ruler, proudly claims to have established peace between lions and goats in his kingdom, boasting about his policies that defy all logic and reality. His personal life is no better-his strained relationship with the empress becomes a subplot, adding both depth and comic relief to the narrative.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when a common man, the ‘Fariyadi’, approaches the emperor seeking justice for his fellow workers who were tragically killed during a reckless archery practice session conducted by the empress’s sevikas. Instead of taking immediate action, the emperor, in a typical bureaucratic fashion, promotes his butlers to ministers and commissions them to investigate the matter thoroughly.
What follows is an exaggerated bureaucratic process, wherein the newly appointed ministers spend two long months preparing an outrageously lengthy report of over one lakh words. Their report, instead of providing justice, serves only to complicate the situation further. The emperor, upon hearing the details of the massacre, absurdly compares himself to Emperor Jahangir and dismisses the relevance of historical philosophies in the modern age.
In a satirical climax, the emperor issues a verdict to behead all the guilty sevikas, only to defer the decision by insisting that a new commission must be formed to determine the right course of action. This recurring loop of commissions without justice is a powerful metaphor for the delays, red tape, and tokenism often seen in governance.
The young and talented cast of Natrang brought the script to life with stellar performances. The cast included Aryan Sharma, Kartik Kumar, Manvi Devi, Adaksh Bagal, and Krishay Bhatia, who skillfully portrayed the eccentric and layered characters, delivering comic timing with great finesse. The lighting was expertly handled by Neeraj Kant, who also directed the play, ensuring the visual transitions matched the mood and satire of the performance.
The presentation was smoothly conducted by Meenakshi Bhagat, while the overall coordination was managed by Mohd. Yaseen.
The audience, comprising theatre enthusiasts, critics, and regular followers of Natrang’s Sunday Theatre, appreciated the witty dialogues, sharp political commentary, and high-energy performances. The play successfully held up a mirror to society, highlighting how the essence of governance often gets lost in rhetoric, bureaucracy, and empty formalities.
Natrang continues to demonstrate its commitment to thought-provoking and socially relevant theatre, and ‘Commission’ stands out as a brilliant example of how humour can be an effective tool to critique systems and provoke reflection.
