Wali Dad
Wali Dad
Wali Dad
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Theatre Mirax presents in Mirahouse,<br />
Kirkkopuistikko 34<br />
SAVITRI and WALI DAD<br />
The play is based on Indian folk tales.<br />
The first part of the play is about how love<br />
conquers death<br />
and in the latter part we will learn<br />
that not everything is measured in money.<br />
The multicultural play is performed by young actors from Finland,<br />
Kosovo, Russia, Pakistan, Great-Britain,<br />
Cameroon and Kazakhstan.<br />
The play is in English.<br />
Scriptwriter: Ahmad Arslan<br />
Director: Nadia Zhandr
Co-director Nea Ilvesmaa<br />
Decorations Alexandr Storbjörk, Gylchin Qädirov<br />
Properties and costumes Ami Kauranen<br />
Music Indian folk music; Dead Can Dance<br />
CHARACTERS<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong><br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> Frida Timonen<br />
Merchant Heini Elsinen<br />
Queen Maria Salin<br />
King Sakari Järvelin<br />
Boys Erza Nushi<br />
Nina Dongmo<br />
Girls Nea Ilvesmaa<br />
Ksenia Smirnova<br />
Polina Aganimova<br />
Savitri<br />
Goddess Erza Nushi<br />
King Gemb Nushi<br />
Savitri Nea Ilvesmaa<br />
Satyavan Christian Oliver<br />
Satyavan’s Father Sakari Järvelin<br />
Yama Heini Elsinen<br />
Fairies Maria Salin<br />
Nea Ilvesmaa<br />
Ksenia Smirnova<br />
Polina Aganimova
Music. Fairies.<br />
F1 : In India, in the time of legend,<br />
there lived a King with many wives<br />
but not one child.<br />
F2 : Morning and evening for eighteen years,<br />
he faced the fire on the sacred altar<br />
and prayed for the gift of children.<br />
SAVITRI<br />
F3: Finally, a shining Goddess rose from the flames.<br />
Music. Goddess is singing.<br />
GODDESS : I am Savitri, child of the Sun.<br />
By your prayers, you have won a daughter.<br />
F1 : Within a year, a daughter came to the King and his favourite wife.<br />
He named her Savitri after the Goddess.<br />
F4 : Savitri!<br />
F2 : Savitri!<br />
F3 : Savitri!
Music. Savitri and the King.<br />
F2 : Beauty and intelligence were the princess Savitri’s,<br />
and eyes that shone like the sun!<br />
F4 : So splendid was she,<br />
people thought she herself was a goddess!<br />
F1: Yet when the time came for her to marry,<br />
no man asked for her.<br />
KING : Weak men turn away from radiance like yours.<br />
Go out and find a man worthy of you.<br />
Then I will arrange the marriage.<br />
Music.<br />
F1 : In the company of servants and councillors,<br />
Savitri travelled from place to place.<br />
F2 : After many days, she came upon a hermitage by a river crossing.<br />
F4 : Here lived many<br />
who had left the towns and cities<br />
for a life of prayer and study.<br />
Music. Yoga.<br />
SAVITRI (speaks to F3) : Who is that young man?<br />
F3 : That is Prince Satyavan!<br />
F1 : He guides his father, a king whose realm was conquered.<br />
F2 : It is well that Satyavan’s name means “Son of Thuth”,<br />
for no man is richer in virtue!
Music.<br />
KING : Daughter, have you found a man<br />
you wish to marry?<br />
SAVITRI : Yes, father, his name is Satyavan!<br />
God of Death’s music. God of Death.<br />
F2 : Not Satyavan!<br />
Princess, no man can be more worthy,<br />
but you must not marry him!<br />
KING: Why???<br />
F2 : I know the future!<br />
Satyavan will die, one year from today!!!<br />
KING : Do you hear, daughter?<br />
Choose a different husband!<br />
SAVITRI : I have chosen Satyavan, and I will not choose another!<br />
However long or short his life, I wish to share it!<br />
KING2 (Satyavan’s father) :<br />
Can you bear the hard life of the hermitage?<br />
Will you wear our simple robe<br />
and our coat of matted bark?<br />
Will you eat only fruit and plants of the wild?<br />
SAVITRI : I care nothing about comfort or hardship!<br />
In palace or in hermitage, I am content!<br />
Music. GODDESS is singins. Goddess comes to bless Savitri and Satyavan.<br />
F3 : That very day they became husband and wife.<br />
___<br />
F1: For a year, they lived happily.<br />
But Savitri could never forget<br />
that Satyavan’s death drew closer.
F4 : Finally only three days remained.<br />
F2 : Savitri entered the hall of worship<br />
and faced the sacred fire.<br />
F1 : There she prayed for three days and nights, not eating or sleeping.<br />
Music. Yoga.<br />
SATYAVAN : My love, prayer and fasting are good.<br />
But why be this hard on yourself?<br />
F3 : Savitri gave no answer!<br />
Satyavan takes an axt and goes.<br />
SAVITRI : I will come with you!<br />
SATYAVAN : Stay here, my love. You should eat and rest.<br />
SAVITRI : My heart is set on going!<br />
F1 : Hand in hand, Savitri and Satyavan walked over wooded hills.<br />
They smelld the blossoms on flowering trees<br />
and paused beside clear streems.<br />
Music. Fairie’s dance. Savitri and Satyavan take part.<br />
Music is changing, because God of Death appears. But they still dance.<br />
SATYAVAN : My heart aches!<br />
Savitri rushes to him. She set him down “in the shade of a tree”.<br />
SATYAVAN : My body is burning! What is wrong with me?<br />
God of Death’s music. He comes closer and closer.
SAVITRI : Who are you?<br />
YAMA : (gently) Princess, you see me only by the power of your prayer and fasting.<br />
I am Yama, God of Death.<br />
Now is the time I must take the spirit of Satyavan!<br />
Yama takes his soul.<br />
YAMA : Happiness awaits your husband in my kingdom.<br />
Satyavan is a man of great virtue.<br />
Savitri starts after God of Death. Choreography.<br />
YAMA : Savitri, you cannot follow to the Land of the dead!<br />
SAVITRI : Lord Yama, I know, your duty is to take my husband.<br />
But my duty as his wife is to stay beside him!<br />
YAMA : Princess, that duty is at en end! Still, I admire your loyalty.<br />
I will grant you a favour – anything but the life of your husband.<br />
SAVITRI : Please restore my father-in-law’s kingdom and his sight!
YAMA : His sight and his kingdom shall be restored!<br />
Yama again headed south. Savitri followed.<br />
YAMA : Savitri, You have come far enough!<br />
SAVITRI : Lord Yama, I know my husband will find happiness in your kingdom.<br />
But you carry away the happiness that is mine!<br />
YAMA : Princess! Even love must bend to fate!<br />
Still, I admire your devotion.<br />
I will grant you another favour – anything but the life of your husband!<br />
SAVITRI : Grant many more children to my father!<br />
YAMA : Your father shall have many more children.<br />
Yama once more turned to the south. Again, Savitri followed.<br />
YAMA : Savitri! I forbid you to come farther!<br />
SAVITRI : Lord Yama! You are respected and revered by all.<br />
Yet no matter what may come, I will remain by Satyavan!<br />
YAMA : Princess, I tell you for the last time, you will not!<br />
Still, I can only admire your courage and your firmness.<br />
I will grant you one last favour – anything but the life of your husband.
SAVITRI : Then grant many children to me! And let them be children of Satyavan!<br />
Sound effects.<br />
YAMA : You did not ask for your husband’s life,<br />
yet I cannot grant your wish without releasing him.<br />
Princess! Your wit is as strong as your will.<br />
Goddess appears. Music. Goddess and Savitri bring the soul back to the body.<br />
YAMA : Return, Savitri! You have won your husband’s life!<br />
All characters on stage. Music and choreography.<br />
F1 : Yama was true to all he had promised!<br />
F3 : Savitri’s father became father to many more!<br />
F2 : Satyavan’s father regained both sight and kingdom!<br />
F4 : In time Satyavan became king and Savitri his queen!<br />
F2 : They lived long and happily, blessed with many children!<br />
F1 : So they had no fear or tears when Yama came again to carry them<br />
to his kingdom!
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong><br />
Boy 1 : In a mud hut far from town lived an old grass-cutter named <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>.<br />
Boy 2 : Every morning, <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> cut and bundled tall, wild grass.<br />
Every afternoon he sold it as fodder in the marketplace.<br />
Boy 1 : Each day he earned 30 paisa. 10 of the small coins went for food.<br />
10 went for clothes and other needs.<br />
And 10 he saved in a clay pot under his bed.<br />
Boy 2 : In this manner <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> lived happily for many years.<br />
Boy 1 : One evening <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> dragged out the pot to see how much money it held.<br />
Sound effects.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : (to himself) What am I to do with all this money?<br />
Merchant appears. Music.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : (to the Merchant) What am I to do with all this money?!!!<br />
I need nothing more than I have!<br />
Merchant offers to WD a gold bracelet.
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : I have an idea!!! (to the audience) Who is the noblest lady?<br />
(to the Merchant) Tell me, in all the world, who is the noblest lady?<br />
Merchant : Without doubt, it is the young queen of Khaistan.<br />
Music. Queen of Khaistan. Girls are dancing in her palace.<br />
Merchant : I often visit her palace, just 3 days’ journey to the east.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Do me a kindness. The next time you pass that way,<br />
give her this little bracelet, with my compliments!<br />
Merchant on his way to the Queen. Music. Boys with luggage or sacks.<br />
Boy 1 : Soon after, the merchant found himself<br />
at the palace of the Queen of Khaistan. He presented the bracelet to her<br />
as a gift from <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>.<br />
Girls : <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>? <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>… <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>!!!<br />
Queen : (admiring the bracelet) How lovely! Your friend must accept a gift in return!<br />
Music. Merchant on his way to WD. Boys with heavy luggage (silk)<br />
Boy 2 : When the merchant arrived back home, her brought the silks<br />
to the hut of <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>!<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Oh, no!!! This is worse than before!<br />
What I’m to do with such finery?!<br />
Merchant : Perhaps you could give it to someone else.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Tell me, in all the world, who is the noblest man?<br />
Merchant : That is simple. This is the young king of Nekabad.<br />
His palace too I often visit, just 3 days’ journey to the west.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Then do me another kindness. On your next trip there,<br />
give him these silks with my compliments.<br />
Boy 1 : The merchant was amused but he agreed.
On his next journey, he presented the silks to the king of Nekabad.<br />
The King appears. Music.<br />
King : A splendid gift! In return your friend must have 12 of my finest horses!<br />
Sound effects. Horses.<br />
Boy 2 : So the Merchant brought the King’s horses to <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : This grows worse and worse! What could I do with 12 horses?!<br />
(thinks for a moment) I beg you, keep 2 horses for yourself,<br />
and take the rest to the Queen of Khaistan!<br />
Sound effects. Horses. Music of Merchant’s journey.<br />
Queen : (to her servant girl) Why does this <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> persist in sending gifts?<br />
I have never even heard of him!<br />
Girl 1 : Why don’t you discourage him?<br />
Send him a gift so rich, he can never hope to match it!<br />
Boys carrying chests. Music of Merchants journey.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : What have I done to deserve this?<br />
Friend! Spare an old man! Keep some silver for yourself,<br />
( threatening) but take a rest to the King of Nekabad!<br />
Boys with chests running fast. King catches both Boys.<br />
King : What does it mean?
Boy 1 and Boy 2 (by turns) :<br />
Perhaps this <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> seeks to prove himself your better.<br />
Why not send him a gift he can never surpass?<br />
The King turns his back on the audience. He thinks a bit. Then he gives some orders to the<br />
Boys. Silently.<br />
Boy 1 : (from the distance yelling to <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>) <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>! <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>!<br />
His Majesty sends to you back twenty camels with golden anklets…<br />
Boy 2 : (from the distance yelling to <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>) …twenty horses with golden bridles,<br />
Boy 1 : 20 elephants with golden seats mounted on their backs…<br />
Boy 2 : and 20 liveried servants to care for them all!<br />
Music. <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> beside himself.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Will bad fortune never end?!<br />
Please, do not stop for a minute!<br />
Keep for yourself two of each animal<br />
and take the rest to the Queen of Khaistan!<br />
Merchant : How can I go to her again?!<br />
Boy 1 : So the Merchant consented to go just once more.<br />
Girl : Clearly, Your Majesty,<br />
the man wishes to marry you.<br />
Since his gifts are so fine,
perhaps you should meet him?<br />
Boy 2 runs to <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> and whispers news in his ear.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Oh no! Now I must be paid for all my foolishness!<br />
What are we to do?<br />
Merchant : I fear we can do nothing!<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> goes to his new residence.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Good buy, old hut! I will never see you again!<br />
I am a stupid old man! I cannot face my shame!<br />
Merchant : No shame can come to such as you.<br />
(Merchant helps him to change clothes)<br />
In your heart you are a king!!!<br />
Music<br />
Boy 1 : A caravan from the east!<br />
Boy 2 : No! A caravan from the west!<br />
Boy 1 : No! Caravans from both east and west!!!<br />
Queen comes with her servants. King – with two boys.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> and Merchant on their knees.<br />
Queen : My dear <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>! We meet at last!<br />
(looks at King) But who is that magnificent King?<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> and Merchant rushes to the King.<br />
King : My dear <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>! I had to meet the giver of such fine gifts!<br />
(looks at the Queen) But who is that splendid Queen???!!!<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : The Queen of Khaistan, Your Majesty. Come and meet her!
Boy 1 : And so the King of Nekabad…<br />
Boy 2 : and the Queen of Khaistan…<br />
Boy 1 and 2 : (together) … fell instantly in love!!!<br />
Music<br />
Then all characters goes to the stage, to “Khaistan”. Only 2 Queen’s servants stay. They are<br />
fairies.<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> wants to go away. Two fairies stop him.<br />
Girl 2 : Where are you going <strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong>?<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> : Did I not tell you I am a stupid old man?<br />
I should be glad for what I have received<br />
( he shows to his residence) , but…<br />
Girl 3 : Say no more. You shall have your heart’s desire!<br />
<strong>Wali</strong> <strong>Dad</strong> gets his hut back. Dance at the end.