AN EPIC GLORY It was 25 years ago that B. R. Chopras Mahabharat began airing on Doordarshan, and soon after captivated audiences across both in India and worldwide. The streets were emptied, the gaps between generations bridged by this magnificent epic brought to life on the small screen. Its difficult for me to believe that were celebrating the quarter century anniversary of a piece of art which, in spite of focusing on a subject several millennia old, feels fresh and relevant even today. There is a boldness about it, a sense of practicality and modernity, and just the right amount of humor amidst its deep philosophical and political messages to ensure that even when I rewatch an episode for the thousandth time, and that too right after a contemporary series, it never feels outdated but remains evergreen. A number of elements came together to make the show special for viewers of all age groups, even those like myself who initially watched the show as young children. The dialogues, first and foremost, were crisp and thought-provoking. They were often purposely written in a way that could foster multiple interpretations and encourage healthy intellectual discussions and debates. The music was another favorite feature of mine; it was rich with diversity in its offerings, from classical dance numbers to romantic poetry to energetic battle anthems to melancholic melodies to devotional hymns. The sheer size of the cast was noteworthy as well, with over 150 names on the roster, but even more remarkable was the equitable distribution of screentime and importance among so many lead and supporting characters. And what to say of each ones talent! Nitish Bharadwaj as Lord Krishna, effervescent with wit and wisdom, so perfectly struck a balance between human and divine that many of us envision our Krishna to be a practical, fun-loving, and approachable friend and philosopher in much the same way. Roopa Gangulys passionate portrayal of Draupadi exudes strength and confidence, inspiring us to speak our minds and raise our voices against injustice no matter what the circumstances may be. Feroz Khans devout and obedient Arjun reminds us of how a devotee should aspire to behave. Pankaj Dheers emotionally charged Karna fills us with empathy and warns us that even the noblest among us can cheat ourselves out of a happy ending if we fall into bad company. Mukesh Khannas lion-like Bhishma, a picture of stateliness and dignity, gives us countless lessons in what does and does not constitute duty. Similarly just about every member of the cast, no matter how small or large their role was, infused their character with a dominant trait/persona that may or may not have made them likeable, but most certainly made them memorable. All in all, the show was a conglomeration of sincere efforts from the creator, the cast, the and the crew. Their sincerity and dedication are evident in the tears we saw them shed in the Making of videos that the producers have released, and moreover, the quality of the series itself. It is truly an effort worth celebrating, and we welcome one and all to join us reminiscing about when and how this adaptation of the Mahabharat touched our lives. ***
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:10:54 +0000
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