Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, the second evening of the ongoing three-day long state level theatre festival organised by Expressions at Bhanjakala Mandap here, ‘Astaraga Ra Ranga’ was staged to a packed audience.
The play with all the ingredients of a good play struck a chord with the audience comprising of teenagers and elderly couples.
Rabi’s is the central character of the play and Sunil Kumar Pradhan tried his level best to get into the skin of Rabi, a Divyang.
When Ravi was in her mother’s womb, his parents didn’t want to have another child because of already having three children. They even tried to abort, but didn’t go for it as doctors told them that it would prove fatal for both mother and child.
With no option left, they went to a traditional healer and Ravi’s mother took some ayurvedic medicine, roots and herbs to kill the foetus. Somehow, the medicine didn’t work but the child was born with physical issues.
He is also an epilepsy patient.
Because of his disease, families coming with marriage proposals refuse to take girls from his family, fearing the disease might be genetic one.
Cursing himself and blaming himself for all the problems, one night he tries to leave his home. While he was leaving, his sister notices him and manages to convince him to drop the idea of leaving home.
Ravi is a good flute player . Once, he takes part in a national level competition and stands first.
This achievement changes the mindset of not only his family members but of other people.
The audience who remained glued to their seats till last scene realised that one doesn’t know what the God has in store for them.
Written by Fakir Singh, the play was directed by Dipti Ranjan Dash. All the artistes including Bimal Kumar Pattjoshi, Prabhat Ranjan Kuanr, Sunil Kumar Pradhan, Shibani Das, Archita Dash and Banita tried to do justice to their respective characters. Shakti Prasad Mishra’s music and Subash Panda’s stage design contributed immensely to the success of the play.
The guests of the evening were Dr Bijay Jena, principal of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya; Aabhas Baral, retired English reader and Subodh Pattnaik, a noted theatre personality.
Similarly, Lala Biren Ray, Nibedita Jena and Prashant Paikray, who have contributed immensely to the art, culture and theatre world, were also felicitated.
