Gunamukha

Synopsis
The renowned Persian Emperor Nadir Shaw lived for about 60 years (1688–1747). Beginning his invasion of India (then, the Hindustan) in 1739, he defeated the Mughal army at the battle of Karnal in 1740, and captured Delhi. Lacking in fidelity and morality, the divans of the Mughal Empire were conspiring against their own king. Added to these problems, the Marathas were deftly capturing greater portions of the Mughal territory.


There was neither any match nor any comparison between the rising Nadir and the declining Mughal emperor. Nadir was a seasoned invader; and when it came to warfare tricks and strategies, there was none to beat him in the game. More than the wealth and comfort that he would get after every conquest, it appeared that he was thrilled by the cruelty involved in the war. He was so impatient that he never actually paid any attention towards administration and welfare of his subjects; however, he could not get to stand and when found, flare at the hypocrisy, falsehood and deceit of the human beings around him. The conspiring atmosphere, prevalent at the Mughal palace, only enraged him further, and increased his impatience and suspicion.


Nadir, who never stayed at any place for a longer time, for once thought of settling down in India – tempted by the abundant affluence and anarchy of the place. However, he was equally attracted by Persia. Caught between his desire to staying in India and returning to Persia, between his manly army and the unmanly treachery of the Mughal officials, he thought of finding his identity through his sword and soldiers, and in the process fell ill, both mentally and physically. The Hakim Alavi Khan, who plays a major role in this play, helps Nadir step back from the abysmal hell in which he was entrapped.


Source: Dr. H. S KOMALESHA

Tirugata

Tirugata is a repertory of Ninasam established in 1985. A group of 20 ex-students of Ninasam Theatre Institute formed every July, rehearse that season’s plays and travel all over the state for almost a year. Performing almost every day with roughly 120 shows in 140 days, Tirugata has over 85 productions so far with more than 3400 shows and has catered to over 20-lakh audiences. 80% of the shows have been conducted in small towns, and have covered all districts of Karnataka. Plays vary from Western to Indian, and directors are invited from Karnataka and as well outside.

Ninasam Plays Documentation

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Use the links given below to view various chapters in our documentation easily

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Community Participation

Sanchi Foundation believes in community participation to take this project to next level. To begin with, we would like to translate the subtitles to all the plays in all possible languages. So if you are willing to help us in this project, please get in touch with us.

Documentation of plays would serve as a great reference point when we deal with different plays with students. As a theatre teacher I have felt the need for these kind of documentation so many times.

Manju Kodagu

NINASAM

Gunamukha Crew

We thank Ninasam community, Heggodu

All who helped this project Directly and indirectly

Documentation Sponsors

Ashoka Vardhana |  Ila S. Bhat | M. T. Hebbar | H. Sundara Rao | Dr. Krishna Mohan Prabhu | Dr. Nisarga | Prasanna K.R | Vachan Shetty| Shailaja S. Bhat

Sanchi Foundation Documentation team

Camera  Vishnu Prasad, Lakshman Nayak, Somanatha | Camera assistant – Avinash | Sound design – Jamie DSilva | Additional Sound – Shishira K.V | Editing of plays – Prashanth Pandith | Interviews – NAM Ismail | Editing of interviews – Abhaya Simha | Internet technology – Omshivaprakash | Subtitles – Avinash G. | Photograph – Pavithra, Omshivaprakash | Documentation Direction – Abhaya Simha

Ninasam Tirugata 2015

Gunamukha

Written by P. Lankesh | Music – Akshara K.V | Design and direction – Manju Kodagu | Gunamukha actors – Avinash Rai M.K (Nadir Sha), Chandan M (Najiruddin Sha, Shamshuddin Khan, prayer group),  Dayanan Pallavagere (Nijam-Ul-Mulk, dancer),  Nagaraja Shirasi (Nazir, Chorus, Afzal, Shamshuddin Khan, prayer group), Bindu Rakshidi (Alavi Khan, Chorus), Manoj Sukhdev (Tanvir, Singer, Prayer group), Mohan Sheni (Rajvi), Sharat S. (Sadath Khan, Dancer, Hamid,Prayer group, Mamthaz, Group), Shruti V. Tiptur (Ikbal, Percian messanger, Group Pasha, Faruq, Prayer group),

Technical management

Tour manager – Hanumappa Chandappa Chalavadi | Office maintenance – Shrikantha G.R | Planning and execution – Shripada T. Bhagavath

Sanchi Foundation

Sanchi Foundation (R) has joined forces with Ninasam for this documentation project. Sanchi  Foundation is a not for profit organization working for the documentation of audio-visual heritage. Sanchi Foundation has a vast experience in audio-visual documentation.

Support by Funding this project

Sanchi Foundation works through public contributions. All donors will receive a receipt from Sanchi Foundation (R).

Donation to Sanchi Foundation is recognized under 80G for income tax exemption.