Lyricist and writer Manoj Muntashir’s theatrical production Radha Se Ranbhumi Tak will be staged on 22 and 23 August at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Indore.
Produced by Neelam Muntashir and Vikram Mehra and directed by Puneet J. Pathak, the show explores the lesser-known aspects of Lord Krishna’s journey, from his relationship with Radha to his role as a strategist, philosopher and warrior.
In an exclusive conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Manoj Muntashir spoke about the psychology of Krishna, his two-year writing journey during which he studied more than 50 books, the relationship between Radha and Krishna, and the lessons he believes Krishna has for today’s Gen Z.
‘Nothing changed in Krishna from Radha to the battlefield’
What is the biggest change you see in Krishna from ‘Radha to the Battlefield’?
Nothing changed in Krishna. He was always complete in love, strategy, war, and philosophy. How can someone who is complete change?
‘We want to show a journey of Krishna that has never been seen before’
Why should audiences watch the show?
Our show is not competing with anyone. We are not trying to prove that we are better or superior to anyone else. We simply want to present a journey of Krishna that audiences have not seen before on stage, in cinema, or on television.
There are moments in the show when I have heard audiences gasp and cry. There are also moments when people get up from their seats and dance.
Krishna and Radha’s final meeting, Gandhari’s curse, Krishna’s death, Draupadi’s disrobing, and the way we have presented the essence of the Bhagavad Gita have all become unforgettable moments.
Most importantly, it is an entertaining and emotional experience for the entire family.
He further says “Children can enjoy the grand war sequences, adults can appreciate the music and grandeur, while the elderly may find it difficult to remain unemotional during the presentation of the Gita’s teachings.”
I read more than 50 books while writing this show. I studied several scriptures and texts about Krishna, including the Srimad Bhagavatam and Harivamsa Purana. The entire writing process took more than two years.
I urge audiences to watch the show just once. After that, they often return seven or eight times. In Mumbai, we met several people who had come to watch it for the eighth consecutive time.
Our producers, Vikram Mehra and Neelum Muntashir, along with director Puneet J. Pathak, have created a show that I am immensely proud of.
‘Krishna is the complete Supreme Being’
The title itself represents Krishna’s entire journey. Who is Krishna to you – a lover, strategist, philosopher or warrior?
My Krishna is the complete Supreme Being. He was born in human form, so he is also a lover, friend, guru, son and father.
But for me, Krishna is the greatest philosopher-warrior. He teaches that peace which avoids war is contemptible, while a war fought for peace is worthy of respect.
‘What was Krishna thinking in his final moments?’
What is the biggest untold story you have explored in this narrative?
There is one question that has always troubled me: what was going through Krishna’s mind in his final moments when he was facing death? What was the Lord thinking at that moment?
We have tried to understand and feel that unspoken moment.
‘Krishna maintained a balance between war and peace’
Which event from Krishna’s journey has had the greatest impact on you?
If there were only one, I would tell you. But two things particularly stand out to me.
The first is the balance between war and peace that Krishna maintained. Today’s world is struggling to achieve this very balance.
The second is our tendency to equate success with happiness. Krishna’s journey helps us understand that success and happiness are not the same thing.
Return to Krishna once, and you will find all the answers.
‘Radha and Krishna were never two’
Why could Radha and Krishna never be together?
How could Radha and Krishna become one when they were never two?
Krishna never went away from Radha. He himself became Radha from head to toe. Even today, if you want to call Krishna, you have to take the name of Radha Rani. Say Radhe-Radhe, and Bihari will come.
‘Krishna’s greatest superpower was psychology’
What was Krishna’s greatest weapon – intellect, strategy or psychology?
Krishna’s greatest superpower was psychology. Krishna was the world’s first psychological therapist.
The Western claim that Sigmund Freud was the father of psychology is completely baseless. Five thousand years before Freud, the greatest scripture on psychology had already appeared – the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita is a capsule of 700 verses that offers an answer to every sorrow in the world.
If you want to understand the Gita easily, watch Radha Se Ranbhumi Tak once. You probably have not seen such an emotional presentation of the Gita before.
‘I don’t claim to understand Krishna’
If Krishna himself asked you how much you understood him while writing his story, what would you say?
I absolutely do not claim to understand Krishna. I have only one claim, and that is something I am proud of: I believe in Krishna. I have held his hand and allowed him to take me wherever he wishes.
I have just one request for all my listeners and viewers: hold Krishna’s hand and walk with him. You will never have to beg anyone in life.
‘I first filled myself with knowledge about Krishna’
As a writer, were you ever worried that faith might interfere with your imagination or that you might cross a line?
First, I filled myself with as much knowledge about Krishna as possible, and only then did I begin writing.
I read more than 50 books and several scriptures about Krishna. I also studied the Gita and began this journey with complete faith and dedication.
And when we have the blessings of Shrinathji, what is there to worry about?
We have completed nearly 30 houseful shows across the country and have received praise everywhere.
This is the grace of Lord Krishna.
Now, there will be four shows on 22 and 23 August at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Indore. To the glorious descendants of Mother Ahilyabai Holkar and my friends in Indore, I humbly request you to come and experience Krishna anew.
‘Our entire show explores aspects rarely seen on screen’
Is there any aspect of the Radha-Krishna story that cinema has not fully explored?
I think our entire show is an example of that.
The way we have presented Krishna’s story, and the perspective and emotion with which we have brought it to the stage, is something that has not been presented on any medium in the country to date.
Manoj praises Krishnavataram
Today’s generation is dealing with relationships, careers, and various struggles. What should they learn from Krishna?
I would simply like to tell Gen Z that struggles will certainly be a part of life. But have faith. The one who has given you the struggles will also give you success. If Narayana were not with you, the world would have been lost.
Like a paper boat, you would have drowned long ago.
There must be some ground beneath your feet.
If wars are written in life, then Keshav must also be.
