Drushya’s new Kannada play is a satirical take on bureaucracy and corruption

According to the synopsis of the play, Taj Mahalina Tender is a satirical play that humorously critiques bureaucracy and corruption in the government system. “The play reimagines the construction of the Taj Mahal, a globally celebrated symbol of love as if it were being built in contemporary times under a tendering process riddled with red tape, inefficiency, and greed.”  

Drushya, a 19-year-old Kannada theatre troupe that is known for its plays like Abhiyaana, Rakta Dwaja, Haanush, Twelfth Night and many more, is getting back on stage with the first show of its latest production, Taj Mahalina Tender.

The play will premiere on Tuesday at 7 p.m., in Kalagrama, Mallatahalli.  

Originally written by Ajay Shukla in Hindi, titled Taj Mahal Ka Tender, the play was translated to Kannada by Dakshayani Somashekar and designed and directed by Drushya’s founder, Dakshayani Bhat. 

According to the synopsis of the play, Taj Mahalina Tender is a satirical play that humorously critiques bureaucracy and corruption in the government system. “The play reimagines the construction of the Taj Mahal, a globally celebrated symbol of love as if it were being built in contemporary times under a tendering process riddled with red tape, inefficiency, and greed.”  

Through sharp wit and clever dialogue, the play exposes the flaws of modern-day administrative practices, corruption and red tape. The play uses the backdrop of the historical project to comment on systemic issues in governance, juxtaposing the grandeur of Shah Jahan’s vision with the absurdity of present-day inefficiencies. The satire serves as a powerful reminder of the gap between lofty ideals and ground realities, making it both thought-provoking and entertaining for audiences, explains the synopsis. 

Asked why she chose to direct this play, Dakshyani said that she wanted to throw light on corruption which has become a part of our everyday life. “The script shows a regular person or citizen of today through the eye of Shah Jahan. It portrays the struggles or challenges Shah Jahan would have faced in building the Taj Mahal in today’s world, if tender had to be, which fascinated me. The play has been done by many troupes, and the storyline has appeared in films too, but I wanted to go beyond the comedy of the play, and make audience understand the irony of the play,” she added.

“Our team is filled with many young actors both amateur and professional. Through this play I wanted them to learn and understand the world they are living in, and the corruption around them. I wanted a play that would bring a change within us, which is why I decided to direct this play for our team,” Dakshayani explained.