Lanterns, dragons used as props in play

Gurgaon, Nov 16 (UNI) Lanterns and dragons, which have been an integral part of Chinese tales, were interwoven with Indian street theatre form to create a gamut of colour, music, dance and stage play here.

Children associated with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) staged a play yesterday named 'Dragon Lantern' at Epicentre.

Ms Praveen Nair, mother of famous film director Mira Nair is the brain behind SBT, which was formed 20 years ago for street and working children.

The play was a Chinese one, being presented in Hindi, as the narrators said 'Chini Kahaani Hamari Zubani'.

Beautiful pink, blue, green and red lanterns were used as props to give the play a colourful look.

A dragon-shaped lantern was the main attraction and was made by famous lantern-maker Shinichi in the play.

The lantern was so made to illuminate the hearts and lives of people with human feelings. It dances as the master moves a ball.

As the play unfolded, a negative character Laizilee kills Shinichi in a fit of envy and anger. The dragon lantern stops dancing henceforth.

Laizilee presents the lantern to the king and becomes a minister in his court.

Ten years later, the kingdom is in a mess, trees and rivers dried, and the princess starts to have nightmares.

Ginshu, a student of the late Shinichi, comes to the rescue. He has a duel with Laizilee and kills him.

Then he moves the ball and the dragon lantern starts dancing, welcoming the New Year with its bright light.

Humorous one liners and Bollywood numbers sung by the trio of narrators had the audience in throes of laughter.

The play also raised some social issues like the education of the girl child.

UNI SKB RP SB HT1358