Imagine having only one person in your family, someone far away from you for a long time. You have been waiting for ages, clinging to the hope of seeing them again. Every day, you live with the expectation of meeting them or at least receiving a letter—some sign of connection. But day after day, your hopes are met with silence. Isn’t it painful even to imagine?
In Hari Hajurba, the protagonist, Hajurba, played by Bijay Baral, finds himself in a similar situation. In his old age, he has been waiting for his granddaughter Kopila for a long time, with no knowledge of her whereabouts or what she has been doing. He deeply misses her granddaughter so much that whenever he sees someone nearby, he immediately asks, “Do you know Kopila?”
His tone and expression vividly convey the agony he has been enduring while waiting for his long-lost granddaughter.
Woes of waiting
The story of Hajurba is just a representational case, there are thousands like him, who have been waiting for their lost family members for ages. Reportedly, records at the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons show as many as 3,223 complaints of enforced disappearances implicating either security forces or the Maoists have been lodged at the commission.
Written and directed by Najir Husen, Hari Hajurbuwa revolves around the story of Hari, a postman played by Najir Husen and Hajurbuwa. The play follows a wandering postman delivering letters from a forgotten time who encounters an elderly man consumed by bitterness and solitude. The man spends his days listening to the radio, yearning for news of his long-lost granddaughter, taken during the conflict.
During the insurgency that lasted from 1996 to 2006, thousands of people went missing, many of whom were forcibly recruited to join the antigovernmental side. Kopila in Hari Hajurba represents one of those individuals. Back then, those kidnapped were told that their involvement was for their rights and the betterment of the country. The antigovernmental side lured them with lofty promises that remain unfulfilled to this day. As a result, neither have the lost ones returned home nor have the promises made during that time been realised. However, those lofty dreams and promises have been limited to only the leaders.
Hari Hajurba does not merely portray the war and the pain of waiting for loved ones. It goes beyond and shows how the lives of common people have been unfair because of fake promises and dreams.
Travelling to war era
The setting of the play transports us to a secluded location, dominated by a solitary, aging house. The house, worn down by time, exudes an aura of neglect and appears far from an ideal place to live, mirroring the sombre tone of the story. Additionally, the lighting used in the play enhances the natural feel of the setting. The props like radio, antenna, batteries and letters take us back to the war era.
The old house itself is symbolic, depicting that ages have passed but Kopila and thousands like her haven’t returned home. Furthermore, the relationship the two protagonists build through their conversations, and the way they empathize with each other, symbolically highlights their shared struggles. Their mutual understanding reflects their ability to connect deeply with each other’s pain and emotions.
This one-hour-long play is more relatable to those whose family members have been missing since the insurgency. For many, the insurgency might seem irrelevant in the present context, but for those who were separated from their family members due to the war, the pain inflicted by the conflict continues to haunt them. The emotional scars of lost loved ones and the enduring uncertainty of their fate linger, reflecting how deeply the impact of such historical events still resonates within affected individuals and families.
Stellar performance
Both actors deliver commendable performances, showcasing exceptional acting skills. There are scenes where they seamlessly transition between roles, shifting from ordinary individuals to guerrilla fighters with remarkable ease. Their ability to navigate these quick character transformations adds depth and authenticity to their portrayals, enhancing the overall impact of the narrative.
Similarly, the chorus with their songs and choral speaking makes the message of the play more relevant and powerful.
Hari Hajurba is a play worth watching. It is highly recommended to watch for all those leaders who failed to deliver on the lofty commitments made during the insurgency. This play offers a poignant reminder of the harm caused to the warriors, the public, and the entire nation, providing a stark reflection on the consequences of unfulfilled promises.
More importantly, the play also brings to the attention of the leaders the plight of families whose members were recruited by the anti-state side and have never returned home since then.
Hari Hajurba will run through January 12, except Mondays, at Mandala Theatre, Thapagaun, at 5:15 pm. There will be an additional show on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
