Founder director and artistic choreographer of Sarabhuj, Tarun Pradhan, with a 20-member repertory troupe, is a well-known name in the field of traditional folk dance, drama and mime theatre of Bengal. He has trained under his late father Kushadhwaj Pradhan who was a traditional artist himself.
Influenced by the ‘Bratachari’ movement of Gurusaday Dutt and encouragement received from scientist Dr. Amitava Bhattacharya, he was motivated to join the profession. Armed with a post-graduate and a doctorate degree from the Rabindra Bharati University, he has launched Sarabhuj. Recently he staged Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, with the help of the National School of Drama at Jorasanko Thakurbari – the ancestral home of the Tagore family. Also a guest lecturer at Rabindra Bharati University, Tarun Pradhan reflects on Sarabhuj’s journey so far.
Edited excerpts from an interview. .
What is Sarabhuj all about?
The word Sarabhuj means six principles of art. Sarabhuj is a socio-cultural institution at Rangamati in Midnapore. It has been propagating the appreciation of traditional folk cultures from 1986 under my guidance.
What has been your single-most influencing factor in forming this organisation?
I have derived strength and inspiration from the warmth and fragrance of the earth. Armed with inspiration my institution Sarabhuj has persevered and toiled to uphold the true essence of our culture in dance theatre and mime.
Who were your initiating guru and other gurus from whom you have acquired proficiency in dance, theatre and mime?
My father late Kushadhwaj Pradhan, an eminent traditional guru of his time, was my first teacher. I learnt performing arts from Sujan Kalindi and Guru Gambhir Singh Munda. I was also motivated by Gurusaday Dutt’s Bratachari movement and became a member of the international troupe that promoted Bratachary martial art form all over the world. I was initiated into mime theatre by Jogesh Dutta, Niranjan Goswami, and Marshal Masso.
What are your social welfare programmes and productions?
We have not limited ourselves to stage performances only. We play a significant role in creating social awareness of traditional culture through workshops, seminars and training.
We also conduct live demonstrations and documentation. The organisation is able to function meaningfully by remaining true to the values and ideas of Indian aesthetics.
Can you talk about some of your significant theatre productions?
We have performed in many national and international festivals and represented India in many foreign countries. Some of our productions are “Pathbhogta”, “Aamra sobai raja”, “Saju Rupai kathakatha” , “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or “Phagun rater gappo” in collaboration with NSD, “Megh Balika”, “Aranye Purush” (it’s story is by Mahashweta Devi), “Mitul name putul ti” and “Jathar Juddha”.
What are the aims and objectives of Sarabhuj?
Our primary aim is to reach out to as many people as we can and proclaim the message of peace.It is also our prime duty to spread the knowledge of our art forms.
What forms of folk dances do you teach?
In our institution we teach ‘Ran pa’ (standing on stilts and performing acrobatic movements) ‘Bratachari’ (martial arts) ‘Ghoda nach’, ‘Patinad’, ‘Paika nach’ ‘Raibense’, ‘Dhali’, ‘Lathikhela’, ‘Tadin’ , ‘pata jhumur’ and yoga.
What else do you do besides being the Artistic Director of Sarabhuj?
Who are some of your talented performers?
Sakti Maity, Sambhu Soren, Mrityunjoy Mahato, Phalguni Kalindi, Samir Mahato, Bacchu Hasda are some of our talented artists.
