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Saturday, February 8, 2025

Prarambh Theatre Group Staged Two Powerful One-Act Bengali Plays in Delhi NCR

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Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : The renowned theatre group, Prarambh, based in Delhi NCR, presented two impactful one-act Bengali plays – “Uttara” and “Restaurant” – at the Muktadhara Auditorium, Gole Market, New Delhi, on Sunday, 8th December 2024. Directed and designed by the acclaimed theatre artist Rabishankar Kar, captured the essence of powerful social themes, including anti-war sentiments and the exploitation of the underprivileged.

 

 

 

“Uttara” is an emotionally charged piece that explores the devastation caused by war, focusing on the human toll and the poignant suffering of women and children in conflict zones. The play serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of war and advocates for global peace.

 

 

On the other hand, “Restaurant” draws attention to the stark realities of the economic divide, highlighting the struggles of the poor and their exploitation by the wealthy. Through this gripping narrative, the play calls for greater awareness and social justice.

 

 

 

 

The event was held as a response to the “No War” initiative, a collective artistic movement addressing the alarming global rise in warfare and the catastrophic effects it has on innocent lives, particularly women and children. Artists involved in this project have united to make a firm stand against war and violence, urging humanity to seek peaceful resolutions to global conflicts.

 

 

 

 

Prarambh Theatre Group is a well-recognised socio-cultural organization and public charitable trust, dedicated to using the power of theatre to address critical social issues. With a mission to raise awareness about women’s rights, child welfare, and environmental issues, the organization continues to inspire change through compelling performances that promote social advocacy and support for the community.

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding their current play “Uttara,” director Rabishankar said “The Drona Parva is considered one of the most important sections of the Mahabharata epic, as it contains several key events. One of the most significant incidents in this parva is the demise of Abhimanyu. His death is particularly noteworthy during the Mahabharata War because he was the first member of the Pandava family to be killed by the Kauravas”.

 

 

The play Uttara, Playwright by Dr. Sisir Kumar Das nicely focuses on the aftermath of Abhimanyu’s death during the Mahabharata War. It explores the emotional and philosophical dimensions of this tragic event from the perspectives of three key women: Uttara (the wife of Abhimanyu), Subhadra (the mother of Abhimanyu), and Draupadi. The play reflects on themes of grief, self-introspection, and the moral dilemmas surrounding the war.

 

 

 

In terms of performance, the lead role of Uttara is performed by Arundhati Banerjee. She successfully conveys a powerful symbol of personal grief and resilience on stage, overcoming her challenging circumstances. Her narrative centres around her profound sense of loss for her husband and her fear for the future. Uttara’s character reflects the silent suffering of women during the war and embodies enduring hope through her unborn child, who is destined to continue the Pandava lineage.

Nivedita Sircar’s portrayal of Subhadra effectively captures the profound grief of a mother. Through her introspections, Subhadra expresses the deep pain of losing a beloved son, emphasizing the harsh reality of war. Her reflections explore the fragility of life, highlighting the complex emotions of pride and sorrow that accompany the loss of her courageous son.

Sristi Das’s portrayal of Draupadi serves as a voice of reason and philosophy in the play. While mourning the loss of Abhimanyu, she places this tragedy within the larger context of the Pandavas’ struggle against Adharma (unrighteousness). She justifies the war as a necessary act of justice and restoration, despite the immense sacrifices it entails, including the loss of Abhimanyu’s life. Other characters, namely Romoni by Indrani Dutta, Pratihari by Prabir Dhar, and Gandhari by Saswati Ganguli, justify their roles.

The play portrays the deeply personal losses experienced by the women, allowing the audience to empathize with the emotional toll of war. It explores whether the goals of the war justify its devastating consequences. The death of Abhimanyu serves as a turning point, prompting a re-evaluation of the war’s necessity and morality. The characters confront a central question:

-Is this war merely a means of settling personal scores?
-Or is it a righteous battle for restoring Dharma?

The play offers a poignant portrayal of the women’s perspectives, which are often overlooked in traditional narratives of the Mahabharata. It emphasizes their resilience and moral clarity amidst personal tragedy. Through heartfelt monologues and reflective dialogues, the play encourages the audience to confront the complexities of war, justice, and human suffering.

This narrative not only underscores the significance of Abhimanyu’s death but also recontextualizes the moral framework of the Mahabharata, prompting the audience to question whether the costs of Dharma’s triumph were too high.

 

The group’s second play of the evening was “Restaurant,” a play written by Zulfiqquar Zinna.

 

The story of “Restaurant” explores how the upper class exploits the poor. It highlights the deprivation of human rights and illustrates how the elite take pleasure in the suffering of the labour class. Restaurants serve as a backdrop to reveal the superficiality of the wealthy while showcasing the heartlessness of certain segments of our society.

The story of the restaurant is about the upper class exploiting the poor. Through the deprivation of human rights, the story portrays how the upper class is taking pleasure in the demise of the poor labour class. Restaurants reveal the inner essence of fancy and showcase the heartless elite of our society.

 

 

 

 

The play uses sharp contrasts between the lavish lifestyles of wealthy patrons and the grim realities faced by the workers behind the scenes. This juxtaposition highlights the hypocrisy and moral decay of the upper class while giving a voice to the silent struggles of the oppressed. Shushanto Sinha, as the restaurant steward, steals the show with his carefree acting, and Sheshadri Mitra, as the TV journalist, builds up the story with his memorizing voice and diction. The work of others has been worthy of praise.

 

 

 

 

Shantanu Ganguli’s music and Shubhodev Banerjee’s lights added a different dimension to both plays. Just like any other production, Soma Kar’s authentic costumes and makeup contribute to the development of the characters in both plays. The set of the play “Uttara” could be much more imaginative. At the end of the day, it was a pleasant experience to watch two plays of different genres.

Through these performances, Prarambh aims not only to entertain but also to spark important conversations around societal problems and work toward a collective well-being for all. 🍁

Read More : Sasraya News Sunday’s Literature Special | 8th December 2024 | Issue 42 || সাশ্রয় নিউজ | রবিবারের সাহিত্য স্পেশাল | ৮ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৪ | সংখ্যা ৪২

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