Remembering high school dramas

There was time when all the people of Bhatkal - young and old alike - looked forward to local school and college annual days with great expectations. Dramas formed the brightest band of the spectrum of the variety entertainments. That was the time when the idiot boxes had not made forays into every home. Small wonder, therefore, that denied as they were of their due share of entertainment, the people of Bhatkal savoured the school and college days to the dregs. In those days dramas held an irresistible fascination for the people of Bhatkal. And the local school/college day was an annual feature which they would not miss for the world.

The local Islamia Anglo Urdu High School premises used to be abuzz with excitement on the eve of such programmes. The annual school and college functions did not remain an integral function but attracted the local public in large numbers. Even after the college was shifted to Anjumanabad college dramas were still held on the school premises. So, every year people had an opportunity to watch two cultural programmes, one of the school and the other of the college.

Sad to say, these functions have since been divested of all their glory and splendour and remained the relics of a distant past. The school plays did stage to make a comeback only to die a sudden death again. And the recent college cultural programme hosted in Anjumanabad is replete with action movie songs of mediocre standards.

The Navayathi plays of the olden days were, to put it mildly, sensational and funny. Dramas like Gudgadi Meera, Dubai Cho Wahrait, Daatle Faatle, Raitha Cho Pisolo, etc. could bring the house down and steal the show. Similarly the Urdu dramas Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Darwaza Khol Do were also better. In sharp contrast to these, the English and Kannada plays were jeered down.

The year 1972 marked the golden jubilee of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen and college dramas took a new turn. The action song Dum Maro Dum enacted by college students received tremendous applause and cheers. The drama Kala Coat became the talk of the town. Student-actors like Syed Samad, Gangavali Shabbar, Momin Ilyas, Salim Mohtesham and Yaseen Askeri among others were instantly recognised on the streets.

Dramas served as shot in the arm for the local vendors. Business would be brisk. The food stalls would have their field day selling hot cuisine and beverages. The fancy dress, tableaux, action songs which interspersed the dramas would unfailingly evoke thunderous applause.

It is still possible to recapture the olden days. The authorities should permit the hosting of such cultural programmes which showcase our culture and heritage. Such plays can also be staged by cultural groups.

Aftab H. Kola