Veteran playwright Chandan Sen has celebrated over 81 years of life. His writing captures the Naxal movement and the political tensions of the 1970s. At times, his work highlights the fundamental values of social life, while at other times, he skillfully weaves themes of love, conflict, and struggle into the natural rhythm of life.
In this piece, he depicts a group of young men and women accustomed to the demands of modern life. The story also highlights the struggles of an elderly person, whose narrative takes on significant importance. Throughout the play, each line reveals the exhilarating chaos of the night, alongside the hope for a new dawn, all while carrying the weight of grief from a burning crematorium deep within his heart.
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Chandan Sen's 'Raat Bhairo' is, in a word, a tragic fragment of modern existence. Dharaniranjan Dhar is a failed father of this very society and such a helpless, neglected person who is constantly defeated in life's battles. He cannot even properly provide food or medicine to his dying wife. His only child, Tadhina, is compelled to leave every morning in the hope of earning. Dharaniranjan or his sick wife fears questioning the purity of that earning.
In this play, we observe a group of young people waiting in the park to commit theft. We meet a fish trader who is eager to enter the electoral arena with the worst intentions. Additionally, we see foolish police officers alongside a clever schemer. These characters highlight the harsh reality of this time to give prominence to society's decay. It's as if on one side there's the pitch darkness of night. On the other side, the world awakening in the glow of dawn's light announces its presence. The play's conclusion happens to stir honesty and conscience.
The main asset of this play is the taut story and acting, where there's no question of respite. Here, renowned actor of films, serials and plays Dulal Lahiri has acted in the main character role of Dharaniranjan. A beautiful example of skilled acting. The audience is overwhelmed. Chalantika has matched him in the opposite character. She too has been able to merge herself with the play's character.
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This most modern play of the 66-year-old theatre group 'Hayabral' has been directed with extraordinary expression by Nancy, a familiar actress of the Bengali stage, who is probably taking on the responsibility of stage direction for the first time. Manoj Prasad's lighting and Debashis's background music have made the play more dynamic. Partha Chowdhury, Tapan Biswas, Gopal Sarkar and others have shown bright distinctiveness with new types of acting in the play. The reflection of a veteran Bengali playwright's writing talent with a novice director's talent will occur on December 14, at the Academy stage.
