Songs
The play uses many elements of nacha – a chorus that provides commentary through song,
and panthi tunes of the satnami religious sect are incorporated. The play begins with the song:
Satyanam! Satyanam! Satyanam!
Praise the truth, nothing better,
Praise the guru, no one greater,
The very first few lines clearly depicts the importance of truth and integrity and also the value
of a guru i.e., teacher.
The Guru in the play also asks his followers to give up their vices, and yet he is a man of this world, he is more concerned with money than with salvation. The song which he sings constantly proves this:
That’s all you have to do, just
Give the guru his due.
Is it salvation you want? Just
Give the guru his due.
This chorus also underlines the contrast between Charandas’s moral uprightness and benevolence and the injustices of a corrupt, anti-people system. It sings:
There are so may rogues about, who do not look like thieves,
Impressive turbans on their heads, softly shod their feet.
But open up their safes and you will surely see
Stolen goods, ill-gotten wealth, riches got for free.
At the end of the play, Charandas is posthumously deified as saint and people pay homage to him by worshipping his Samadhi. And they sing:
The truth is divine,
Divine is the truth