The tech-driven musical Rajadhiraaj, staged at NMACC, brought alive mythology for the new-age audience

From Rajadhiraaj
| Picture Credit score: Courtesy: NMACC

The curtain might have come down on Rajadhiraaj:Love Life Leela, however the expertise lingers. The musical was as opulently conceived because the venue — Grand Theatre on the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. The two,000 seats throughout three ranges and the 18 unique packing containers had been packed virtually by means of the present’s 20-day run. Impressed by the enduring Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, this extremely big auditorium in NMACC is one in all its type within the nation to stage mammoth Indian and worldwide productions.

Krishna’s life has been offered a zillion occasions, however Rajadhiraaj, with its seamless mix of the normal and modern sensibilities, stirred the creativeness. The built-in Dolby Atmos and programmable lighting system of the Grand Theatre and the VFX of the musical made an historical story come alive for the new-age viewers.

Because the story travelled by means of Mathura, Dwarka, Gokul, Vrindavan, and Mewar, widespread manufacturing designer Omung Kumar transported the viewers to those cities related to Krishna. Whereas designer Neeta Lulla, who has styled a number of actors, recreated the period along with her costumes. Although excessive on bling, the attires contributed in making Rajadhiraaj a visible spectacle.

There was by no means a uninteresting second through the musical’s 120-minute length, what with the ensemble solid holding the stage busy with their entries and exits. Nevertheless, greater than the actors, the sutradhars, together with a cute little woman, stole the present. Their conversational narration not simply took the manufacturing ahead, it helped the viewers perceive the join between the 2 avatars of Vishnu, which ace lyricist and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi selected to spotlight. The script additionally enlightened many within the viewers in regards to the origin of Shrinathji and the way Krishna acquired the identify Ranchoddas, the shifting of Shrinathji’s idol from Mathura to Mewar, the beginning of Vallabhacharya’s Pushti Marg and the creation of Dwarka.

The manufacturing was backed by wonderful music and dance choreography
| Picture Credit score:
Courtesy: NMACC

Since Rajadhiraaj was a mega musical, there have been 20 songs. Composers Sachin-Jigar appeared to have drawn inspiration from western symphony, haveli sangeet, people music, semi-classical genres and movie music. Many of the songs had been accompanied by dance choreographed impeccably by Bertwin Ravi Dsouza and Shampa Gopikrishna’s (daughter of the legendary Kathak dancer Gopikrishna). The duo showcased a effective mixture of Kathak, modern and people actions.

Director Shruti Sharma and govt producer Bhoomi Nathwani have proven how when mythology meets know-how, you possibly can relive the period passed by.