Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha's Directorial Dexterity on Shakespeare's Most Difficult Play

 Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha's Directorial Dexterity
on
 Shakespeare's Most Difficult Play 

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. Some of the important plays of Shakespeare are - Hamlet , Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Othello, King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, As You Like It. Traditionally the plays have been divided into the genres of Tragedy, Comedy and History and translated into every major living language. In addition, they have been continually performed all around the world including India.

During the first week of October  some of the plays of Shakespeare were performed in LTG Auditorium, Copernicus  Marg, New Delhi in the cultural hub Mandi House of Delhi. Such plays being performed in Delhi and other big cities of India may not be a big news as such cities do have huge infrastructure & resources alongwith modern facilities at their command. 

LTG Auditorium, Mandi House,New Delhi
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

But can one imagine Shakespeare's one of the most difficult play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" performed in early sixties in erstwhile one of the most backward districts Champaran of erstwhile one of the most backward States Bihar of India?

Can one dream of  that there may be a person of such an exceptional calibre & talent & temperament in such an inhospitable, inaccessible backward place who can  organize, supervise & direct such a difficult play of Shakespeare successfully? 

Can one think of finding such  talented artists in this backward region who can do justice to the different characters of the play? 

Can one see in the mind's eye that Shakespeare's play can be performed in English in such a backward place where it was very difficult  almost impossible to find English speaking students? 

Shakespeare's Play in LTG Auditorium
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Perhaps unimaginable, unthinkable, unbelievable . Undreamed of, unthought of, unheard of, beyond one's wildest dreams, beyond the realm of reason. Astonishing, amazing, astounding.

Bettiah Railway Station
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

But it is true. A Midsummer's Night Dream was performed on western stage of M J K College, Bettiah of erstwhile Champaran district (Now Bettiah is the head quarter of West Champaran district) of Bihar in 1964 on the occasion of Annual Day of Department of English. 

M J K College Bettiah
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

12 students, most of whom were the students of third and fourth year, were selected for the roles of different characters of the play. They used to gather together in the evening everyday for rehearsal at the quarter of Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha. At every point, at every moment Prof Ojha used to give his suggestions, his able direction,  and with love & affection, without getting irritated made them understand the nuances of acting, expression and dialogue delivery. Whenever they get tired, members of Prof Ojha's family offered refreshments to the students. Rehearsals continued everyday for months without a break.  

Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha in a Comic Mood
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

At last the D day came for which the students were preparing themselves for months. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" play was performed on the stage in the night before the distinguished spectators including the then Collector Shri C.R. Vaidyanathan IAS who was also the Chairman of the Management Committee.

Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha in Pensive Mood
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

All the students presented the drama on the stage in English meticulously & genuinely due to investment of  hard and sincere labour  of Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha during rehearsals. Every actor playing his or her role  in this drama was highly appreciated and specially role of Hellen, a lady role played by Mohammed Shafi. For his role as Hellen Mohammed Shafi was awarded first prize.

But above all Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha was showered with all praise for his powerful direction and successful supervision of the play that too in English and that too most difficult drama of Shakespeare - " A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the erstwhile most backward & neglected district Champaran of Bihar . A rare feat, a rare achievement for Prof Ojha. Apart from others Shri C.R. Vaidyanathan IAS personally congratulated Prof Ojha for organizing such a wonderful drama by taking daring initiative for the first time in Bettiah in 1964. The credit for the grand success goes to none other than Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha. This rare feat by a rare personality  remained unnoticed & unhighlighted even till today. 

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

[Facts taken from an article published in the book "Viprah Bahudha Vadanti"]

Prof (Dr.) Rabindra Nath Ojha

(1932-2010)

University Professor, Great Scholar of English-Hindi-Sanskrit-

Bhojpuri, Matchless Personal Essayist-Poet-Letterwriter-Translator-Crtique-Editor, Exceptional Stage Director, Rare Manager, Powerful Orator, Ardent Lover of Cricket & Distinctive Player of Tennis-Football, Rare Music Expert, Natural Leader of Trade Unions-Teachers’/ JP Movement, Great Philosopher-Spiritualist-Thinker-Social Activist-Philanthropist, Multidimensional Rare-Unique Personality.