Journalism of Courage
Bihars much talked-about folk form,launda naach,comes into focus in a play by a Delhi-based group
Kya aapko pata hai ki asal mein Munni nahi,Launda badnaam hua tha?, Pankaj Pawan asks his chorus. They nod in shock. Pawan then sings the popular dance number,packed with histrionics. There is a tabla,a harmonium and two playback singers accompanying him. Every now and then,he instructs his tabla player to increase the pace to keep the audience interested. The ensemble is rehearsing for Launda Badnaam Hua,a solo act that graphs the experiences of a launda naach aspirant,and its state in the country. Weve heard of launda naach through Anurag Kashyaps Gangs of Wasseypur II.
Pawan,who plays the protagonist,continues singing Hindi film songs,sporadically adding cheeky anecdotes. The dress that Malaika Arora Khan wore in the film would have cost over a lakh. Whereas,my costume is worth 500 rupees, he says to his chorus.
It looks like a quaint village gathering,but then he breaks into Yun toh premi pachattar humaare,and the rehearsal turns into a jam session. Pawan has been doing theatre for over 10 years in Delhi. The play has been produced by Delhi-based theatre group SEHARand has had many stagings in Delhi.
The story is revealed through conversations with his accompanists,and song/dance routines. I love to wear my sisters pink suit and dance at weddings. Theres no shame in that, he says to his audience. He breaks into an odd folk song every now and then,asks of the audiences patience with songs they havent heard. He even adds an upbeat version of Jagjit Singhs Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho to his performance. When the ensemble sings Lahoriya,a Bihari folk song,their faces are shining bright. Clearly,folk music was a winner in that room. A lot of these artistes have honest devotion to their performance. The culture is routinely contested in the garb of morality. Hopefully,our play will show its brighter,more entertaining aspect, says Pawan.
