London will soon see the exuberant stage show displaying Maratha king Shivaji’s greatness and valour in the play ‘Jaanta Raja’ at SSE Wembley Arena on 20 and 21 June…writes Ragasudha Vinjamuri
London will soon see the exuberant stage show displaying Indian king Shivaji’s greatness and valour in the play ‘Jaanta Raja’ at SSE Wembley Arena on 20 and 21 June. An estimated 7000 audience will be attending the Asia’s largest epic which has already done more than 1000 shows attracting 15 million audiences in India. On this historic occasion, a request has also been made to Her Majesty Queen of the United Kingdom to enable the viewing of Shivaji’s sword named Jagdamba, gifted by the Maharaja of Kolhapur to HRH Prince of Wales in 1875, which is in Her Majesty Queen’s personal collection. It was last permitted to view in October 1978 as respected historian Babasaheb Purandare attempted to authenticate it.
Shivaji was a great warrior king and a powerful global icon who founded the mighty Maratha Empire and established a progressive civil rule with the help of a disciplined military. His naval strategy and guerrilla warfare tactics had taken his powerful enemies by surprise over three hundred years ago. Such a magnanimous personality should have been highlighted much more to the wider world, and through the first ever show in the UK a movement in the direction has been initiated.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi highlights him as an inspiration to all and says “Shivaji had a Larger than life personality and image. He had worked out a comprehensive road network in the hilly terrains of Western Maharashtra in the 17th century and even till date the same road network is being used. Such was his vision. He worked on a lot of infrastructural projects during his tenure, apart from leading the Maratha army to victories against the Mughals and other rival groups”.
The spectacular play, Jaanta Raja, the People’s King boasts a specially designed 27ft wide multi-dimensional stage. More than 150 artists, and horses, camels and bullock carts shall appear in this feat. Acts within the biopic give out social messages pertaining to protection of women’s honour, their empowerment, secular approach, appreciation of native culture and environmental preservation. The event is organised by Om Events Ltd based in London, supported by several community and arts organisations in the UK and Gujarat Tourism, India. Zee TV and Sun Rise Radio are TV and radio partners respectively. For further information, please visit www.jaantaraja.uk