Sattriya Kendra, Centre for Sattriya Dance and Music and Theatre Traditions, Guwahati presented Rabindranath Tagore’s epoch making dance-drama “Chandalika”.in the ‘Thakur Dalan’ of Jorasanko Thakurbari.
The Bengali original was translated in the Assamese language by Bibhuranjan Chowdhury who also composed and directed its music with khol, mridanga, flute, violin, nagara, dhol and sarod most successfully. “Chandalika” is the story of Prakriti, who by dint of being a low caste woman, metaphorically belonged to the margins of society. Tagore’s “Chandalika” is a powerful critique of Indian society that denied fundamental rights and dignity to a large section of people.
Recognition at last
The poet gave Prakriti voice and power. Prakriti’s self-realisation that she is a human being and entitled to all the rights like others, came from Ananda, the Buddhist monk who quenched his thirst with the water given by her. In a way, he quenched the thirst of her heart. She fell in love with the man who gave her self esteem. In this one too, Tagore broke new grounds in empowering a womanby bestowing upon her a free spirit, who could go to any extent to get the object of her desire and love. She entreated her mother Maya, who practised black magicto bring Ananda to her door step, with full knowledge that he was a celibate monk.
“Chandalika” of Sattriya Kendra was choreographed by Jatin Goswami assisted by his disciple Anita Sharma, who enacted the role of Maya, comfortable in the position given to her by society. She depicted her role through realistic acting, focussing her fear of what would befall her rebel daughter, but eager to act at her bidding in trying to make her happy. Padmalochana Konwar as Prakriti acted out the role of the protagonist with restrain. Her questioning attitude was depicted subtly through body-language and as much facial expression as was necessary to make it realistic and authentic, that touched a chord in the hearts of the audience, who needed their handkerchiefs to hold back their tears.In the role of Ananda was Naresh Chandra Baruah.
Anita Sharma felt gratified at having the chance of a life time to be able to perform “Chandalika” at the ancestral home of the poet.