Duryodhan's Mahabharata--the bold oration

When BR Choprq's Mahabharat was released, the roads were smeared with silence and the residents of houses became the citizens of Hastinapur for a solid hour,followed by discussions till the next week.

Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hyderabad, turned into Hastinapur in December 15. As the auditorium, stung with mosquitoes and a good sound and light system, was packed with netizens clicking videos and pictures of the important narratives of Mahabharata, eloquently narrated by Bhu-Mata (by the talented Meghna Malik) and dialogues set in rhyme that created an indelible impact: the stellar performances, the rapidly changing sets, the rhythm of the dialogue and the powerful monoglue glued us for three hours, with a ten-minute break in between. 

But this Mahabharata belonged to Duryodhan, who challenges the rules of politics and caste especially when he saves the day taking Karna in.. defying the rules of caste politics ..and giving him a kingdom.

Duryodhan is unabashedly proud and filled with ambition and has a reason for his misgivings, which causes his death. 

We all know Mahabharata and the war but what made this production interesting was underlining the mistakes by the pandavas. Be it Draupadi insulting Karna saying he is of lowborn and he cannot be a king by taking a kingdom by begging, or 

Draupadi insulting Duryodhan when he falls in a mirage. And the game of pachisi where the victory owns the pandavas and like a house of cards, everything falls apart, here after. 

The most dramatic parts were during 

Draupadi and Duryodhan's monologue at the sabha. Draupadi questions the pandavas why she was gambled away and 

Duryodhan asks the pandavas why did they gamble her away like she was a materialistic possession.

The icing on the cake was when Duryodhan was killed unfairly (not following the below-waist rule of mace fight), Duryodhan's soul reasons on how he has been the most dutiful enemy and how he was righteous despite being on the side of the Adharma. He blames Krishna for being unrighteous on the pretext of being righteous. 

Easily, Krishna gives a sermon on what must not do in life:Bheeshm pitamah, Gandhari, Dronacharya, Draupadi, Pandava--all have done one mistake and that leads to the war. But Duryodhan's monologue sticks to the mind. The maha drama belongs to the actors who have owned the audience and the auditorium and Puneet Issar and his son have done a favour by directing it from the perspective of Duryodhan and Karna. 

Watch it!