Play
The mystic Darjeeling’s thrilling Jalapahar – and even more mysterious is its homestay.
Far away from civilization, chartered accountant Diptash comes face to face with a strange, eccentric ghost.
Mohana Manohara Shovana Sundara Murali Badana Shastri – is as colorful in nature as his name suggests. The ghost’s conversations with Diptash – full of wit, arguments, and confessions – gradually unveil stories of love, neglect, regret, hunger, and war.
Director
Date of Birth: 19.09.1963
Educational Qualification: Post Graduate in Comparative Literature
Works & Achievements:
Ishita worked as a journalist in various reputed print media. Ishita scripted and directed over 20 plays for her own group ‘USHNEEK ’and other groups as well. She had been associated with ‘Desh’, a biweekly magazine as a theatre critic.
At the age of just 20 she directed the play ‘GHAR’, an adaptation of Jean Paul Sartre’s ‘THE ROOM’ in 1984. She also performed as an actor under the direction Salil Bandhopadyay, Sunil Das, Manoj Mitra, Aloke Ranjan Dasgupta, Wolfram Mehering and others. Ishita received several accolades of which a few remarkable are ‘Uttam Kumar Award’, ‘Pramathesh Barua Award’, ‘All India Critics Award’, ‘All India Women Association Award’, ‘Kalaratan Award’ in consecutive years as best director plays like ‘KAMALKAMINI’ and, ‘GAWAHARJAAN’.
Director’s Note
The challenges one faces to direct a play were relatively simpler for me being also the playwright. I approached this play realistically while it gradually turns surreal as the play proceeds. My main focus was to build a relationship of love and friendship between a human and a ghost – ultimately giving the play a flight towards universal brotherhood which stands against all violence.
Group
Ushneek was formed in 1984 by enthusiastic young theatre lovers and was registered in 1991.
Ushneek has completed its 41st year on 13th May 2025. Among the full act plays `Kamal Kamini’, staged in 1994 received all India Critics Award, Pramathesh Barua Award, Uttam Kumar Award and Best woman Director Award from All India Woman’s association. Our previous production also received much public attention and one accolade like Uttam Kumar Award, Pramathesh Barua Award, All India Critics Award etc.
Ushneek has participated in all the major festivals in West Bengal and outside. Nandikar Natya Utsav, Natya Academy Natya Utsav,Yuva Utkal International Festival, Sangeet Natak Academy festival, 8th Theatre Olympics and BRM 21 are a few to name. Ushneek has travelled with its productions to almost all the major cities in India, not to mention the small towns. Ushneek has been invited to USA with latest production ‘Bhoot’.