Charandas Chor

It was during the Spic Macay season at IIT-Delhi. I had pretty much waited my whole life to have access to such music/dance/drama etc. I had never really seen a professional performance. Linus, the Spic veteran had told me of MS Subbalakshmi and her need to drink a glass of warm milk before a concert, and some others who needed to drink some other things. We heard Bismillah Khan play in our hostel garden, saw Sonal Mansingh tell the poor MC off, because he mispronounced her name. (She also did a scary "Aaj Ki Naari" thing that I didn't laugh at because I was afraid of the possible punishment).
I thought I had soaked up enough culture when Linus dragged me to a play, he said something about Habib Tanvir. I could not sound un-arty with him so I decided to tag along (I remember everyone else being busy). Seminar Hall was packed, I was relieved...it meant we could leave. But I was bullied into sitting in on the floor which could seat only one half...of the big future behind me. But the next one hour was one of the best times of my life.
Charandas Chor is one of those fantastic folk plays from Central India, with a lovely Hindi dialect , outstanding performances and lots of characters. It was funny, simple and had a moral. The cast were entirely non actors, mostly locals from Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. I was so mesmerised by what I saw that I am sure I can recognise the actor who played Charandas. I knew that this is one point in time that I will remember happily forever.
The applause for each actor at the end was brilliant, the hall was vibrating and when a frail old man walked on stage it was deafening. You knew he was a leader, without even hearing him.
Habib Tanvir was one India's greatest playwrights. He was not afraid to have an opinion. His work was known for its political & social conscience, he recently recieved an award from NDTV, his speech was, "I think electronic media is destroying language. Actors don't know how to speak anymore".
I would always tell my friends that if ever they get a chance to watch the play, nothing should stop them. I don't know if you can anymore. Habib Tanvir passed away today.