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62 / Bhai Vir Singh
Rana SuratSingh was followed byRaja Lakhdata Singh.
Published in 1910, the latter was the first play written in the
Punjabi language. The plot is simple and quickly narrated.
LakhdataSingh,chiefofa smallprincelyterritory,livedinluxury
and passed lightly over his responsibility as a ruler. Remorse
came to him through a dream in which he saw himself as an
old man, wasted and enfeebled, and through the providential
visit of a saintly beingwho reminded him of his duty towards
his subjects and the faith of his forefathers.
To the dismay of his ministers, Lakhdata Singh became
withdrawnfrom courtlypleasures.He startedmixingincognito
with the common people of his state. Instances came to his
notice daily oftheir degeneration and corruption. This further
opened his eyes and sharpenedhis sense of guilt. His officers
were perverse, for he had been neglectful. Crime, indulgence
and superstition held sway, for the people had been kept in
ignorance. The solution obviously layin bringingliteracy and
education to the masses--a thesis widely propagated in the
causeofsocialreform atthetime ofthewritingofthisplay. The
playwright was involved init in a practical way and he made
one of the characters in the drama refer almost enviously to
"Sir Sayyid aWakening the Muslims") by his labours for their
education.
The play has this pronouncedly utilitarian focus. But it is
notwellintegratedwiththeplot. There islittle dramatic action
in the story and the characters are one-dimensional
stereotypes. There are patchesofplainlecturingwhichretard
themovementofthestoryandseverelyinjure its artisticmerit.
The author of course makes no secret of his purpose. On the
title itself the play is described as "the first Punjabi drama of
Sikhuplift--aportraitofSikhs'currentsituation."TheForeword
declares: "This drama is moulded to nationalends. An attempt
has been made here to truly portray scenes of Sikhs' presentday
condition and signify principles of reform." While
1. Raja Lakhdata Singh, 1st edition, P. 20.
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