Bhubaneswar: Watching director Satyaranjan Behera’s plays means expecting an experience of a blizzard of emotions overwhelming you.
On Monday, the third evening of five-day 27th National Kalinga Natya Mahotsav organised by Satabdira Kalakar, one of the premier theatre groups in India, at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, he delivered what the audience expected from him.
His theatre group, Shree Cultural Association, Sambalpur, staged ‘Sadhana’, a play that has taken inspiration from the life story of Magsaysay award winner percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who lost most of her hearing by the age of 12, written by Ashish Kumar Sonar and directed by Satyaranjan Behera.
The play revolves around Anji, daughter of Himanshu, who aspires to be a famous dancer.To hone her dancing skills, she joins a dance institution run by Sambit. There Anji and Sambit fall in love and the latter’s father too gives his approval.
One day, while returning home from her dance institution, some goons waylay her and try to sexually assault her. When she resists, they throw acid on her.She is rushed to hospital where the doctor says her father that she has lost her hearing and speaking capacities.
After coming to know about her condition, Sambit snaps ties with her.But Anji who has a dream to be a dancer never loses heart.
As the proverb says ‘When the going gets tough, the toug gets going’, Anji doesn’t allow her conditions to come as a hindrance, rather backs her childhood dream with determination and dedication.
Soon, she finds her ability to sense vibrations is developing. Her friends help her get back her lost skill. One day, she gets an invitation to perform at a prestigious festival and never looks back.She goes on achieving new heights, setting an example for others.
Sangita Sahoo as Anji delivered an exceptional performance. The other actors were Dillip Kumar Deb (Himanshu), Soumyajit Badapanda(Sambit), Nikita Behera (Priti), Runi Pradhan (Anu), Sibanshi Badapanda (child Anji 1), Tanisha Rayguru(child Anji 2), doctor and narrater (Satyaranjan Behera).
The play’s music was by Soumyajit Soumitri Badapanda, light design by Rakesh Satapathy, stage design by Debendra Kumar Amat and dance direction by Sangeeta Sahu.
The theatre festival’s third evening was inaugurated by ex-minister Prafulla Samal, eminent playwright Prof Purna Chandra Mallick, senior journalist Pradosh Pattanayak and theatre personality Bijay Dash.
On this occasion, actor Debadutta Pati, actor Pramod Kumar Biswal and journalist Kshirod Behera were felicitated with Satabdira Kalakar Samman.
