Showing posts with label Musical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musical. Show all posts
A Timeless Tale Retold | Mughal-e-Azam Review
Recreating a timeless classic can be a daunting task, especially when the film in question is K.Asif's extraordinary tale of love, Mughal-e-Azam. However, director Feroz Abbas Khan took up this challenge and the result was a breathtakingly beautiful retelling of the film. Mughal-e-Azam The Play premiered late last year at the NCPA amidst sold out shows, applause and accolades. The makers were back with a second season earlier this month, and once again, their flawless work met with the same incredible response.
Dramatic dialogues, melodious songs, extravagant sets, magnificent costumes and beautiful choreography; this is a grand broadway musical that is bound to leave you speechless. The modern day stage adaption of Mughal-e-Azam takes you back in time and wonderfully recreates the popular love saga of Salim - Anarkali. Right from the excellent casting by Mukesh Chhabra to gorgeous costumes by ace designer Manish Malhotra and Mayuri Upadhya's captivating choreography, each element has been carefully picked and woven together to create the perfect tribute to K.Asif's legendary film. No wonder, the second season too saw sold out shows and a standing ovation from the audience after every performance.
Chhabra gets together the perfect cast, who effortlessly perform their respective characters. They act, sing and dance their way into your hearts. A special mention of Priyanka Barve as Anarkali and Nissar Khan as Akbar, whose impeccable performances left us spellbound. Barve enthralled the audience with her sweet voice, while Khan's personality and strong dialogue delivery was perfect for the role. Other cast members, including Aashima Mahajan, Sunil Kumar Paliwal among others, also perform very well. The dialogues are powerful. For those who can't get the Urdu dialogues right, there are prominent LEDs on both sides of the auditorium that display English subtitles, which was a great idea. The overall production is extravagant and majestic. We like how even the most minute details have been taken care of. A special mention of the fabulous light effects and background score. Malhotra's stunning costumes will transport you back to the Mughal era. We particularly loved the famous 'Pyaar kiya toh darna kya' costume on Anarkali.
As the curtains came to a draw and the audience began to disperse, what stayed with us were the memories. One walks out of the auditorium with a big smile, especially after watching the mesmerising 'Pyaar kiya toh darna kya' or 'Aye Mohabbat Zindabad' on stage. We are delighted to have the musical era back, and we couldn't have asked for a better recreation of Mughal-e-Azam. While the second season came to a close today, we are looking forward to the third season already. Make sure you get your tickets, before they are gone.
Play: Mughal-e-Azam
Directed by: Feroz Abbas Khan
Cast: Nissar Khan, Priyanka Barva / Neha Sargam, Aashima Mahajan, Sunil Kumar Paliwal / Dhanveer Singh and others
Language: Urdu
Verdict: Highly recommended! A must watch for it's flawless production and splendid performances.
As the curtains came to a draw and the audience began to disperse, what stayed with us were the memories. One walks out of the auditorium with a big smile, especially after watching the mesmerising 'Pyaar kiya toh darna kya' or 'Aye Mohabbat Zindabad' on stage. We are delighted to have the musical era back, and we couldn't have asked for a better recreation of Mughal-e-Azam. While the second season came to a close today, we are looking forward to the third season already. Make sure you get your tickets, before they are gone.
Play: Mughal-e-Azam
Directed by: Feroz Abbas Khan
Cast: Nissar Khan, Priyanka Barva / Neha Sargam, Aashima Mahajan, Sunil Kumar Paliwal / Dhanveer Singh and others
Language: Urdu
Verdict: Highly recommended! A must watch for it's flawless production and splendid performances.
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| Line Producers - Namrata Ahmed and Suparna Chakravarti of Rapid Waters |
Conceptualization
Mughal-e-Azam was conceptualised by Feroz Abbas Khan. He approached us to line produce it for NCPA and Shapoorji Pallonji in April last year. We were delighted and instantly accepted the offer. Honestly, this has been the best decision of 2016 for us. The creation process has been very challenging and rewarding at the same time.
Mughal-e-Azam was conceptualised by Feroz Abbas Khan. He approached us to line produce it for NCPA and Shapoorji Pallonji in April last year. We were delighted and instantly accepted the offer. Honestly, this has been the best decision of 2016 for us. The creation process has been very challenging and rewarding at the same time.
Challenges
I think one of our biggest challenge was to do justice to the adaptation. We wanted to give our audience the same joy they felt while watching the film.
I think one of our biggest challenge was to do justice to the adaptation. We wanted to give our audience the same joy they felt while watching the film.
Round up of Season II
The popularity has only grown in season two, leaving people completely spellbound. We have had instances where women have come out teary eyed and feeling completely overwhelmed. It is extremely heart warming to see people react like this.
The Mughal-e-Azam effect
We would like to believe the play has definitely set the bar higher, especially when it comes to reviving cultural plays. I think its wonderful that a whole new market of entertainment is opening up.
We would like to believe the play has definitely set the bar higher, especially when it comes to reviving cultural plays. I think its wonderful that a whole new market of entertainment is opening up.
Love,
The Dancebee
Recreating The World of Mughal-e-Azam | In conversation with Mayuri Upadhya
Manav Ratna awardee, choreographer and dancer Mayuri Upadhya is currently creating magic and breathing life into K.Asif’s timeless epic and now a musical play, Mughal-E-Azam. Helmed by acclaimed theatre and film director Feroz Abbas Khan, the play is a unanimous creation of some very talented and skilled artists, and is currently running in it’s second season with house full shows at the NCPA in Mumbai.
A trained professional dancer, Mayuri had charmed the audience with her beautiful choreography in Mirzya last year and had also conceptualised, choreographer the inauguration for Make in India week 2016. She went on to bag her first musical, Mughal-E-Azam, in the same year. Right from the first season, she has mesmerised the audience with sounds of ghungroo in the play. Mayuri went on to win hearts, and earned accolades, appreciation for her work. We caught up with the artist in between rehearsals for the ongoing second season of the play. In an exclusive chat, Mayuri Upadhyay gives us get an insight into the journey of recreating the choreography for a magnum opus - Mughal-E-Azam, on stage.
What were your first thoughts when you got the opportunity to choreograph the musical?
Initially it was ‘Wow’, then it became ‘Why?’ and then finally, the thought ended with ‘How?’ Firstly, the name of this show itself spoke a lot about the magnification of the project. Secondly, I was wondering why are they approaching me and not a Bollywood choreographer to do the job. Finally, I was thinking how will I be creating the magic in a limited time frame.
How has the journey of choreographing a grand musical like Mughal-E-Azam been?
How has the journey of choreographing a grand musical like Mughal-E-Azam been?
It has been overwhelming, as this is my first musical attempt. I have just loved the journey so far. The love and appreciation for my work is inspiring. It has really been my sincere effort and I have put my best in creating every song for this musical.
What is the most challenging and unique element that you have incorporated in your choreography for this musical?
When I pick up a project, everything is versatile. Every song has a unique approach in the play. We chose Kathak as the dance form as it is the most pure form, and have given Kathak a contemporary look. The song ‘Mohe panghat pe’ has been given a whole mythological, raasleela touch through the choreography. Then there is the famous song ‘Pyaar kiya toh darna kya’, which has been given a modern feminist approach. I feel every woman is an Anarkali in her own way. We have kept the choreography contemporary in its movement and gestures. During my discussion with Firoz sir, he was very sure wanted that he wanted to keep the look of this musical very minimalistic. He didn’t want to do anything over the top. I just incorporated his school of thought in my work. You will see there are no loud props or flashy jewellery. It is the unique approach and imagination that keeps its freshness intact.
Which role do you enjoy the most, Dancer or Choreographer?
Which role do you enjoy the most, Dancer or Choreographer?
