Navya-Bharat Natakam: A Remarkable Sanskrit Drama about Social Awareness for Eradicating Racism and Generation Gap

(History and Study of Sanskrit Literature Development in Garhwal-5)

(Chronological Study of Sanskrit Dramas, Stage plays created by Garhwali of Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India- 3)

                          By: Bhishma Kukreti

                The Sanskrit Drama Nava-Bharat Natakam by Balkrishna Bhatt (1901-1972) is about the worsening social conditions in India under Outsider rules. The Sanskrit Drama Nava-Bharat Natakam by Balkrishna Bhatt depicts the un-touch ability, racism, discrimination for un-touchables by upper cast groups; the bad effects on Indian society by western culture; and the generation gap between old and new generations.

The Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natakam has five acts and every act depicts social awareness.

            First Act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natkam

          The act starts by prayer of Lord Shiva and is dedicated directed to Tehri King Narendra Shah. Five male actors praise the characters of India (Bharat Mata). There are 42 Poems with prose dialogues in the first act of drama.

          Second Act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natkam

 In the third act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat, there is discussion on inhuman behaviors of upper cast people with low cast (Dalit or Shilpkar) and pain of Dalit or Shilpkars; Work of Mahatma Gandhi for Removal of Untouchability and discussion on Touchability and Untouchability between old and new generation.

 There are 22 poems and understandable prose dialogues in first act.

           . Third Act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natkam

     Third act depict nature and its beauty in details. The dramatist describes imageries of seasons – spring, summer, rainy season, Sharad (winter) , Hement (autumn), Shishir. Bhramari, rasbhramari, Rivers, Hill shrines, rivulets etc.

 There are 45 poems and a short prose portion in the act.

  Fourth Act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natkam

                  In forth act, Balkrishna Bhatt takes the audience to the need and aim of independence, worsening position of India and Indians in foreign rules, Narada assuring the incarnation of Lord Badrinath in modern time for eradicating worst social norms and making India a free country, prayer of India and Indian Nationalism.

            There are 59 poems and prose portion in the fourth act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natakam.

               Fifth Act of Sanskrit Drama Navya Bharat Natkam

   In fifth act, the drama takes to audience into worst position of low cast people and suppression of these classes by upper cast; Greed; Selfish human beings; Violent human nature; confused Indians by western culture; Incarnation of Shrikrishna; Assurance from Shrikrishna Birth.

    The drama depicts with ease the worsening social situation under foreign rule. The drama deals with contemporary problems and solutions too. The dramatist is able to create purposeful juncture of divisions of play.

 The characters are from today’s society and the dialogues are meaningful even in twenty first century.

  The language is as per characters and simple and understandable. The playwright was successful in depicting society its culture and its incapability to break those social taboos.

             In many cases the poems become the restricting factor for drama movement especially in third act. The dram could be played on Stage easily by lessening the numbers of Shlokas.

  At the end , the playwright clears his intention as-

Navankanvachandraashabde Mase Madhav Sangyake I

Rachcitam Balkrishnen Nvayatakam II

           The drama work of Balkrishna Bhatt about social awareness is equally important in World drama as famous Playwrights—Brian Hampton; Kendra Thomas; Steven Fendrich; Tim Kelly; Michael Belvins; Jonathan Dorf and etc.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 10/5/15, Mumbai, India

History of Sanskrit Literature Development in Garhwal to be continued in next part

                         Main Sources

1-Dr Prem Datt Chamoli, Garhwal Ki Sanskrit Sahitya ko Den, Dehradun, India

2- Dr. Shiv Prasad Dabral, Uttarakhand ka Itihas (12 Khand), Dogadda, Garhwal, India

3-Bhakt Darshan, Garhwal ki Divangat Vibhutiyan

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Notes on History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Rudraprayag Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Uttarkashi Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Dehradun, Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Haridwar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalaya; History and Study Sanskrit Literature Development in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, North India;

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Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Uttarkashi Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Dehradun, Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Haridwar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Dramas, Stage Plays, from Rudraprayag Garhwal, Uttarakhand;

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Sanskrit Social Awareness Dramas, Stage Plays, Plays from Jakhauli Village; Sanskrit Social Awareness Dramas (Untouchability, Racism) , Stage Plays, Plays by Balkrishna Bhatt from Jakhauli Village; Sanskrit Social Awareness Dramas(Untouchability, Racism), Stage Plays, Plays by Balkrishna Bhatt from Jakhauli Village, Bhardar Patti; Sanskrit Social Awareness Dramas(Untouchability Racism)), Stage Plays, Plays by Balkrishna Bhatt from Jakhauli Village, Bhardar Patti, Tehri Garhwal; Sanskrit Social Awareness Dramas, Stage Plays, Plays by Balkrishna Bhatt from Jakhauli Village, Bhardar Patti, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Sanskrit Social Awareness (Untouchability Racism)) Dramas, Stage Plays, Plays by Balkrishna Bhatt from Jakhauli Village, Bhardar Patti, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalaya; Sanskrit Social Awareness (Untouchability Racism)) Dramas, Stage Plays, Plays by Balkrishna Bhatt from Jakhauli Village, Bhardar Patti, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, North India;