By Matters India Reporter

Patna, August 20, 2019: An imaginary story on Mahatma Gandhi, India’s father of the nation, and his assassin Nathuram Godse was staged in the form of a play on August 20 at Jesuit-managed St Xavier’s College of Management and Technology in Patna.

The play, “Hinsa vs Ahinsa.com’ (violence versus non violence) is based on the acclaimed work of eminent playwright Asghar Wajahat’s Godes@Gandhi.Com.

It highlights the message of victory of non-violence over violence as well as inclusive vision over exclusive ideology. It was staged by Prerna Kala Manch, the theater wing of Varanasi-based Vishwa Jyoti Communications of the Indian Missionary Society.

The play was staged nearly six weeks before the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.

The audience
The play takes an imaginary route from January 30, 1948, when Gandhi is shot by Godse. Gandhi is wounded and undergoing treatment in a hospital while Godse is jailed. On being discharged from the hospital, Gandhi visits the jail where Godse is lodge and has a dialogue with him and forgives him.

Later, Gandhi shifts to a tribal village near Ranchi in the undivided Bihar and experiments with his dream of “Swaraj” (self rule). Unable to understand his vision, the authorities concerned arrest Gandhi and take him to Delhi where he insists on sharing the prison ward with Godse.

What follows is a dialogue on nationalism versus universalism and inclusiveness versus exclusiveness in an atmosphere filled with action, hatred, forgiveness and love.

The play ends in a dramatic manner, mesmerizing the audience with the message of love and reconciliation.

Ajay Pal, who portrayed Godse, and Muzaffar Mohammad as Gandhi impressed the audience.

Introducing the play, Father Anand Mathew, director of Vishwa Jyoti Communications, said it was based on history. “It raises relevant issues in the context of recent socio-political situation. It also addresses communal issues and the idea of democracy,” said the Indian Missionary Society priest, who had pursued a three-month course in communications and media at Ravi Bharati, Patna, in 1991.

The play also focused on “Gandhiji’s India: Together towards well-being of all” which was the college theme for this year, he added.