Raja - A Dramatic Representation of the 400-Year-Old Era of Maratha Culture

 

A king and his wife, a haughty warrior and a rebellious princess; these are the characters in the play Raja. The epic drama has been enthralling audiences in India and abroad for the past 21 years. It has seen 735 shows, 250 artistes and an audience of more than 80 lakh people, say organisers.

The play is based on the life of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It traces his journey from his birth to his coronation. It is a heady mix of drama, valour and politics.

It is a unique theatrical representation of the 400-year-old era of Maratha glory. It is one of the biggest theatre productions in the country with huge reversible sets rising up to three storeys put up on a large expanse of land, extensive use of props and animals including elephants.

Directed by Yogesh Shirole, the play will Rajaplay showcase several facets of Maratha warrior culture. It will depict the rituals of the warriors and their music, including Koli (music originating from the folklore of Maharashtra) and the Bhairavi raga. It will also capture the spirit of the Maratha warrior through a rousing act of swordplay.

Aside from the drama and vrittis of the play, it will also highlight the need to protect our heritage. It will be an important platform to educate the young, said Shelar. He added that the organisers have tried to keep the production as authentic as possible. They have used the original text of Raja written by Maharashtra Govt. Professor Dr Sanjay Nagari.

The play has been performed across the globe including Germany, Japan and the US. It has received critical acclaim. The critics have praised the acting and production of the play. They have also appreciated the concept, costumes and music of the play.

This is the first time that the play has been brought to Mumbai. The organisers have made arrangements to enable around 10,000 people to watch the play daily. The show will be free for the public. Tickets can be obtained from various places starting from March 9 onwards. These include Shivaji Mandir in Dadar, Prabodhankar Thackeray Natyamandir in Borivali, Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyamandir in Vile Parle and Kalidas Natyamandir in Mulund.

The team is among the leading clubs in Moroccan football with over 8 million followers on Facebook and YouTube. Besides promoting the values of sport, Raja CA contributes to the social integration of Moroccan youth through actions such as supporting children and young people to achieve their dreams, facilitating access to education and raising awareness about health issues. In addition, the club has set a record by winning six straight Botola titles, which is Morocco's top competition. The club has also reached the final of many African tournaments and is the first club in history to have won a continental championship. This achievement has also allowed them to earn a spot in the world's top 10 clubs.