Bhai Vir Singh.pdf - Vidhia.com

Father of Modem Punjabi Literature / 63
presenting an anguished argument on Sikh backwardness,
buttressedwith rhetoIic--even statistical data, BhaiVir Singh
is conscious of the fact that he "is laying the foundation of
Punjabi drama."z
Raja Lakhdata Singh, in spite of its frankly propagandist
tone, has theatIical elements. It makes adroit use of some of
the classical techniques--poetically declaimed prologue and
epilogue, rhymed couplets to effectively punctuate the
dialogue, measuredspeechfullofpoeticimagery, a court clown,
and so on. The clown, conventional and stylized, is still the
most vivid character in the play. He has a wrywit and is ever
ready to expose cant and hypocIisy. He is especiaUy severe
upon the Sikh fTranthi, well-fed, pompous, and ignorant.
Rollickingly humorous are scenes depictingbunches of dopey
characters the Raja chances upon during his disguised tours.
They bring a human touch to this otherwise heavy-paced,
serious play. A compulsive character in the play is the
proselytizing padre.
1[
1. idid., author's llote at the beginning of the play.
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