The spirit of Maharashtra’s warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, chronicled back to life on Saturday as the three-hour spectacular drama ‘Jaanata Raja’ took centre stage at Yashwant Stadium, Dhantoli, Nagpur. A series of shows spread over three days, till January 15, is organised by Maharashtra State’s Cultural Affairs Department, district administrations, and Nagpur Municipal Corporation, to mark the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation. The inaugural day witnessed the presence of Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister; Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister of Forests and Cultural Affairs; Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector; Pravin Datke, MLC; Ashish Jaiswal; MLA; Krupal Tumane; MP; Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, Municipal Commissioner; Dr Vikas Mahatme, Former MP; Jagdish Kadam of Maharaj Shivchhatrapati Pratishthan, Pune; and Kushal Jain.

 

Devendra Fadnavis, in his address, said, “We all draw inspiration from the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, and the Government will keep making efforts to take forward the rich culture and history of Maharashtra.” “This presentation is a part of state-wide series of show, and it a great opportunity for citizens to witness the mega historical drama,” stated Sudhir Mungantiwar. The mega drama, staged by more than 200 artists and technicians, is written and directed by late Padma Vibhushan Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare, that has gained immense popularity across India and also by shows staged internationally. A total of 70 artists from Nagpur also played different roles in the drama.

 

The presentation transports the spectators back to 17th century, with a magnificent backdrop of visionary kingdom scenarios, Shivaji Maharaj’s fearless raids on Mughal forts, and commitment to do justice and protect his kingdom by establishing an equitable society. The venue echoed with the sounds of swords clashing and powerful dialogues that portrayed the bravery and wisdom of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The enactment of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation garnered a thundurous applause from the audience. ‘Jaanata Raja’ is more than just a play; it’s a journey through history, a celebration of culture, and a reminder of ideals that continue to inspire us today. With two more performances to come, the shows on January 14 and January 15 will start at 6.30 pm.