I read about the drama enacted by 'Kasba Arghya' group in Sunday 'Pratidin' published on 21/6/11. I searched for the group in the internet and found them in the Facebook. I also found Anirban Ghosh, Ranit Modak and Seema Ghosh - the principal actors - in the Facebook. I enquired and learnt from them about their next show - which was @ Madhusudan Mancha on 24/6/11. It was quite a wet evening - but we did not want to miss the chance.
Anirban Ghosh as Indrajit.
The effort was worth-making.We were rewarded with a performance that touched our heart. An intelligent yet simple stage setting, excellent lighting, music and choreography. Ranit and Seema performed in various roles - Ranit and Anirban simultaneously enacted the scene of 'Nikumbhila Yagna', which was very well-conceived and well-enacted. Over-all impact of direction of Maneesh Mitra and presentation by his team leave a deep impact on the viewer.
Ranit and Seema.
A couple of years ago, I visited the temple cluster of Guptipara . The temple dedicated to Ramachandra has a long wall-relief on 'Nikumbhila Yagna', This wall-relief was crafted with a perspective in view , with Meghnaad in the 'front' and Lakshman aided by Bibheeshan was shown entering the scene stealthily towards the 'rear'. This panel is certainly a remarkable panel , created decades before Michael conceived and wrote 'Meghnaad Badh Kavya'.
This wall-relief on 'Nikumbhila Yagna' inspired me a lot, I brought the copy of Michael's anthology from my library and enjoyed a his epic creation another time. That was the time when I wrote my blog
'Slaying of Meghnaad - a ballad' ( http://przmm.blogspot.com/2009/03/slaying-of-meghnad-ballad.html).
Needless to say, I had a special attraction towards this drama - 'Meghnaad Badh Kavya'. I must say that both Ruby and I enjoyed the drama a lot. I do have a few comments to make - I intend to share the link with 'Kasba Arghya' and hope that the Director and the team will accept the comments in a positive frame of mind.
First the positives. The production - lighting, sound - and music , stage setting, acting of Ranit, Seema and Anirban, 'Chow'-dance - well the Director knows all these. He must have received many accolades for all these and more. Shadow dance of Ranit , wallow of Ravan , 'Indrajit 1 and 'Indrajit 2' during 'Nikumbhila Yagna' in 3rd scene are the bits what we carried in our heart !The few areas where he can improve upon are here :
- Was Pinaki Biswas present in the stage show of 24/06/11 ? Why there was hardly any 'Kathakali' dance movement of Ravan on that day? Ravan, tall and elegant in the make-up and costume of a Kathakali dancer appeared on the stage and stood nearly still !
- Pronunciation of one the two 'Kathak's - the one who was in the right-side of the audience - need improvement.He has miles to go.
- Indrajit was a great warrior. Why he would need so much effort to put string on his own bow ? May be Ranit was asked to show off his dancing skill - but his endeavour did not match the storyline.
- Ranit acting as Chitrangada and Seema acting as Ravan did not look OK to me. May be the Director showcased the actors' versatility. But, I was not impressed.
- Involvement of the gods, their conspiracy in Lakhsman slaying Indrajit have been blanked off totally ! Director's liberty - but, I could not agree with the same.
'Nikumbhila Yagna'
Wall-relief from Rama Temple, Guptipara.
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