Review of the Play Phir Aashadh Ka Ek Din

Overview of Phir Aashadh Ka Ek Din

In the play Phir Aashadh Ka Ek Din, the writer Kalidas from the original play is reimagined as a village-dwelling painter named Varun Kale. Mitali corresponds to Mallika and loves Varun deeply. Varun's work attracts the attention of a politician and art gallery owner, Raja Bhau, who wants to help Varun win an international award, organize shows, and invest in him in Delhi. Despite persuasion from Mitali, his mama, and others, Varun initially does not want to leave his village. Vibhor, corresponding to Vilom, wants Varun to marry Mitali before going to Delhi, while Mitali's mother knows Varun will leave unmarried.

Varun leaves for a long time, becomes a successful painter, marries Raja Bhau's daughter, and eventually transitions from painting to politics. Meanwhile, Mitali lives in the village with her memories while her mother passes away, surviving without ever asking Varun for help. When Raja Bhau dies and party opposition arises, Varun leaves everything and returns to the village to restart his life with Mitali. However, upon discovering that Mitali has a daughter and lives with Vibhor, Varun leaves again, noting that time waits for no one.

Director

Tanaji began his theatre journey at Jawahar Bal Bhavan under Guru Shri K.G. Trivedi. He has acted in numerous notable productions including Oedipus, Skandagupta, Madhyam Vyayoga, Jasma Odan, Seema Paar, Gagan Da Mama Bajyo, Saiyaan Bhaye Kotwal, Waiting for Godot, Ye Aadmi Ye Chuhe, Mad Women, Holi, Babuji, Bali Aur Shambhu, and Rustam Sohrab. His directorial credits feature Map of Happiness, Eklavya Uvaach, Bharat Milap, Nirvan (Jatak Katha), Kavita Collage, Jaanch Padtaal, Madhavi, Classroom, Bade Bhai Sahab, and Bin Pate Ki Chitthi. His solo plays Payal Purohit and Kharonch earned multiple honors including the Iftikhar Yuva Abhinay Samman and Young Theatre Samman.

Writer

Mohan Rakesh (1925–1972) was a renowned Hindi playwright, novelist, and short-story writer associated with the Nayi Kahani movement and modern Hindi theatre. Major works include plays like Ashadh Ka Ek Din, Lehron Ke Rajhans, and Adhe Adhure; novels such as Andhere Band Kamre, Na Aane Wala Kal, and Antaraal; short stories like Miss Pal, Glass Tank, and Jaanwar; and one-act plays including Ande Ke Chhilke and Bahut Bada Sawaal. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Translator

Kuldeep Kunal works across screen and stage in Hindi. His work has appeared at the Bogotá International Festival Colombia, Colours of India Mauritius, and Bharat Rang Mahotsav. He wrote and directed Poos Ki Raat, featured at the Indo-Russian Friendship Film Festival 2010, and has contributed to advertisements, short films, documentaries, and government public awareness campaigns. He received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Director’s Note

Phir Aashadh Ka Ek Din operates across two time periods simultaneously, blending original characters and contemporary times through seamless dialogues to show that emotions, love, and compassion remain unchanged despite the passage of time.

Group

The Rising Society of Art and Culture is a non-governmental organization dedicated to staging plays, poetry, and stories at festivals across the country.