Mumbai: Rajesh Amarlal Babbar, known for his work in television shows such as Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, Suhani Si Ek Ladki and Yeh Teri Galiyan, is gearing up for his upcoming play Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein. Through the production, he hopes to introduce audiences to the thoughts and philosophy of Kabir, whose teachings on humanity, equality and love continue to hold significance even today.
Speaking about the relevance of Kabir’s philosophy in contemporary times, Rajesh believes that society continues to struggle with divisions based on religion, caste and community, issues that Kabir questioned centuries ago. He feels that his teachings are a reminder of the importance of looking beyond these differences. “His message of humanity, equality and love is something we need to remind ourselves of even today,” he says.
For Rajesh, the intention behind the play was not simply to portray Kabir as a poet or a saint but to bring out the personality of the man behind his words. He describes Kabir as someone who was fearless, outspoken and never afraid to challenge practices he believed were wrong. “His rebellion was not about creating conflict but about standing up for truth,” he explains.
The team wanted to preserve the originality of Kabir’s poetry and philosophy while presenting it through a simple and engaging narrative that could connect with younger audiences. Rajesh believes that his thoughts are timeless and do not require any alteration to fit today’s world. “I believe his thoughts don’t need to be modernised because they are already relevant,” he says. Since the subject deals with deep philosophical ideas, the makers were equally conscious of ensuring that the play did not come across as preachy. Instead, they chose to communicate Kabir’s message through the characters, situations, music and emotions woven into the storytelling.
Music plays an important role in bringing the essence of Kabir’s poetry to the stage. Rajesh feels that it adds another dimension to the experience and helps audiences connect with the philosophy on an emotional level. “Kabir’s poetry has its own rhythm and soul, and music helps bring that alive,” he says. He adds that one of the biggest challenges was to make philosophical ideas engaging enough to hold the audience’s attention. From performances and costumes to creating the right period atmosphere, every element had to come together to make the narrative impactful.
When asked what he hopes audiences discover about Kabir through the play, Rajesh says he wants them to look beyond the familiar image of the poet and saint and understand his courage to question society. “We all know Kabir as a poet and saint, but I want audiences to see the man who had the courage to question society and stand by what he believed in,” he says.
Working on Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein has also been an enriching experience for Rajesh, as Kabir’s ability to question established beliefs while remaining rooted in humanity has left a lasting impression on him. He hopes audiences walk away with a willingness to question blind beliefs, respect one another and place humanity above social and religious divisions. “His biggest message was to see the human being beyond religion and social identity,” he concludes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
