Sitting in a chair in her drawing room, Jalabala Vaidya, who has given memorable performances as a solo artist in The Ramayana, is mourning the death of her illustrious husband, who passed away on June 16. An artist of great vision, deep knowledge of Indian philosophy, music as well as Western thought, arts and music, Gopal Sharman was the creator of many theatrical works, exuding contemporaneity. Undoubtedly, The Ramayana is his magnum opus. Applauded all over the world, it has to its credit over 2000 performances including Broadway in New York, London’s West End, the United Nations headquarters and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
Sharman’s life partner, wife, creative collaborator and a source of inspiration to her husband, Vaidya is sad, angry and worried. She is sad because she has lost her dear husband, she is angry because her husband's contribution remained unrecognised and unrewarded by the nation and she is worried how to carry forward the legacy of her husband, especially Akshara theatre located in the heart of Delhi built with loving care by the Sharmans. Now this theatre has become a hub where young directors stage their experimental works. Vaidya's anxiety is genuine and its maintenance needs huge amount of money. Recalling how her husband designed it with his heart and soul, she says, “Even the chairs we are sitting on are made by him. He had the fine skill of a carpenter.”
Naturally, “The Ramayana” is dear to her. “Initially it was designed with a number of actors. As we were preparing to take it to London after marathon rehearsals, the artists went on strike, demanding advance return tickets from London. The crises remained unresolved. So the entire work had to be redesigned with me as the solo artist.”
What is special about Gopal Sharman’s The Ramayana? “It is the Ramayana of our times. This idea was first expressed by Ka. No. Subramaniam, noted Tamil writer in a newspaper article.” To illustrate this she talks about Act 1 Scene 1 of the play which deals with Dasharatha Kaikeyi Samvaad. Here Dasharatha tells Kaikeyi about the duty of ruler. He says, “Do you think good government happens simply by routine , that some sure theory or apparatus of government takes care of it ? Can you imagine what it is for a king to fail! Then justice fails… I name Rama King of Ayodhya because he, least of anyone I know, not just my sons, fits into any pattern or mould.” This is the critique of the state policy and duty of the ruler, which has universal relevance.
Apart from being a playwright and director, Sharman produced several documentary films. His Kashmir story is significant since it is an objective assessment of the prevailing situation. His India Alive –TV series received accolades. Sharman studied Hindustani music at Bhatkhande Institute, Lucknow. He was a singer and composer who would draw elements from Indian and Western classical music. He sang bhajans of Meera, Nanak, sufi saints and Gorakhnath.” Vaidya plans to come up with an audio-visual recording of The Ramayana and a book on her husband. But the true tribute to him, she says, would be to raise funds for Akshara Theatre.
