Salesian College Dimapur staged a musical drama titled “Dance of Fortune” at the Paul Bernick Hall on August 29 and 30, performed by undergraduate philosophy students under the authorship of Fr Tom Karthik.
The production explored themes of poverty, wealth, education, family values, character and the changing nature of fortune, drawing an audience that included students from local churches and heads of neighbouring institutions in Dimapur.
The drama centred on Robert and his sons, John and Lazarus, who endure poverty and illness while facing eviction threats from the wealthy Cornelius.
Despite hardships, the family remains united in faith, hope and perseverance. John’s determination to pursue education and his eventual success as a doctor underscored the values of discipline, honesty, sacrifice and hard work.
Their servant James also embodied compassion by supporting the family despite his own struggles.
In contrast, Cornelius and his son Joshia represented wealth without responsibility. Cornelius was portrayed as proud and obsessed with money, while Joshia, raised in privilege, neglected his studies and fell into gambling, drinking and drugs.
The narrative reached a tragic climax when Joshia, desperate for money, stole from his father. Mistaking his masked son for a thief, Cornelius shot him, leading to his arrest after John’s failed attempt to save Joshia.
The drama concluded with a poignant message that wealth without compassion and humility leads to emptiness and tragedy, while perseverance and education can transform lives.
Its central theme was encapsulated in the words: “The poor of today will be the rich of tomorrow, and the rich of today will be the poor of tomorrow. So despise no one.”
