Bhubaneswar: It was an evening of entertainment, emotion and passion that took the theatre lovers on a rollercoaster ride on Sunday, the third evening of 28th National Kalinga Natya Mahotsav, organised by Shatabdira Kalakar at Rabindra Mandap as the artistes of Bhartendu Natya Academy, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh presented ‘Ab Na Banegi Dehari’, leaving theatre lovers mesmerised till the curtain call.
Written by renowned Dogri-language writer Padma Sachdev and directed by NSDian and director of Bhartendu Natya Academy Bipin Kumar, the play delves deep into the heart of human vulnerability and resilience.The story centres on Revati, a young widow grappling with the crushing weight of loss and societal scorn. After the untimely death of her husband, the play begins with various activities in the village temple.
Cornered by circumstances and with no light at the end of the tunnel, Revati attempts to end her life by leaping into the temple step-well. In a twist of fate, she is rescued by Giribaba, the young Mahant of the Shiva temple.Curious by temperament and compassionate at heart, Giribaba learns of Revati’s plight and finds himself moved not only by her suffering but by the silent anguish of countless women bound by rigid social codes. As the two souls draw closer, a tender yet forbidden bond blossoms within the austere walls of the Math.
Driven by their emotions, Giribaba and Revati find themselves caught between matters of the heart and the weight of religious authority, forcing Giribaba to choose a wrenching choice. A celibate monk entrusted with upholding faith, he ultimately chooses to nip love in the bud and resolves to enter a living Samadhi, determined to safeguard the sanctity and moral stronghold he represents. Revati, on the other hand, refuses to remain shackled by invisible chains and steps into a new chapter of self-liberation.
Far from being mere stage entertainment, the play struck a chord as a powerful critique of the invisible boundaries society has long drawn around women, Dalits, and the marginalised. It held up a mirror to entrenched norms and dared to question them.
Bipin Kumar’s deft direction and artistes’ lively spirited performances left the theatre lovers glued to their seats. The technical team added feather to the cap. Himanshu B Joshi’s nuanced lighting painted the stage with emotion, Vishala R Mahale’s set design lent authenticity, Bhaskar Jyoti’s evocative music heightened the drama, and Dr Gagandeep’s costumes added depth and texture to the characters.
Earlier, the evening was inaugurated by ex-additional chief secretary Rabi Narayan Senapati, state BJP’s vice president Golak Mohapatra, playwright Purna Chandra Mallick, theatre personality Dr Satyabrata Rout and lyricist Lalit Rath. The host theatre group’s president Dr Gourahari Das and secretary Dhira Mallick were also present on the dais.
The organisers felicitated Angraha Dixit, a theatre actor from Bhadrak, Gouranga Barik, a theatre director from Bhadrak and Pramod Dandasena, a theatre director from Baliguda, Kandhamal with ‘Shatabdira Kalakar Samman’.
Worth mentioning, Dhira Mallick and some like-minded enthusiasts founded Shatabdira Kalakar on April 18, 1976. Over the years, the theatre group has carved a niche for itself in Odisha’s cultural landscape. As the group is celebrating its golden jubilee, it continues to keep the theatrical flame burning bright.
