Gour is a simple and naive young man who loves to play the flute. He becomes engrossed in the tranquil beauty of Maynagarh every evening when the moon rises in the sky. Various kinds of tunes of the flute play along inside his innocent heart. Gour is in possession of a kavach, which has been passed down generation after generation. But is Gour even aware of its existence? This young man is adored by Gobindo, the thief, the doctor, and the ascetic residing in the village. While some have lived for over two centuries, others are only 150 years old! Are they alive at all? Meanwhile, a very mighty individual trudges into the village of Maynagarh to conquer everything – the land, the people, and especially, the position of power. Due to the threat of this new trouble in the peaceful place, the villagers become extremely concerned regarding the entire scenario. On the other hand, what does the 350-year-old Jogeshwar observe in the midst of the desolate and fog-covered landscape? What threat does the clue hint at?
Writer and Director
Suman Sengupta is a leading figure in contemporary Bengali theatre – a director, actor, playwright, and set designer whose work continues a powerful theatrical legacy. Born into a family of stalwarts, he is the grandson of the renowned playwright Late Sachin Sengupta, a former executive member of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and the son of acclaimed playwright and director Late Dipendra Sengupta. Suman’s journey on stage began at the age of 10, and over the years, he has emerged as one of the most respected and innovative voices in modern Bengali theatre.
As a director, SumanSengupta has helmed more than 25 stage productions, collaborating with reputed Bengali theatre groups such as Samstab, Dwitiya Sattwa, Chetla Kristi Sansad, Shilpi Sangha, and others. His productions have been featured in numerous prestigious theatre festivals, including events curated by the Paschimbanga Natya Academy and other national-level platforms.
Notable Plays Directed: Sirajddoula, Bijoner Chaardeowal, BaaghNakh, Naa Tor Jonyo, AamarGaan (Recipient of the Satyen Mitra Award, 2024), Gourer Kabach
Director’s Note
Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay created magic world for us- brimming with eerie thrills, spontaneous laughter, fear, supernatural happenings, and science fiction. It was a tumultuous delight. Cherishing this world in my heart, I adapted his novel ‘Gourer Koboch’ (‘Gour’s Amulet’) for the stage. To my astonishment, a theatre group called Samstab threw themselves into the production with every ounce of their being! Around twenty-five boys and girls, charged with ghostly energy, brought it to life. I had worried whether Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s universe could truly be translated onto the stage. Yet I trusted my imagination- and ‘them’, whose names must not be spoken. And indeed, the moment I began to fear ‘them’, they quietly took charge: writing the script, composing the songs, building the set, and directing the play. Our names may appear in the credits, but the real deal is something else. It is a profoundly mysterious affair. Even the acting- I cannot swear that all the performers were entirely human. But at least three of them were surely- No! Let us stop here; the audience might be frightened to hear about ‘their’ acting!
Group
Samstab, a leading Bengali theatre group, celebrates 42 years of continuous creative excellence since its founding in Kolkata on September 2, 1982. The group’s work is built on the legacy of founder Dwijen Bandyopadhyay. Under his guidance, Samstab staged acclaimed works like ‘Mushthijog’ and ‘Spardhabarna’, along with ‘Chhariganga’ directed by Soumitra Chattopadhyay. Maintaining national acclaim, the production ‘Anahuta’ (2019) was featured at Bharatrang Mahotsav 2020 and was also telecast on Kolkata Doordarshan. This success was followed by ‘Uronto Tarader Chhaya’ (2022), which completed 50 successful shows. Samstab’s latest production, ‘Gourer Koboch’ (2024), marks a new creative peak. Adapted and directed by Suman Sengupta from a Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay novel, it’s a freewheeling adaptation that blends a fantastical fable with elements like loveable ghosts and musical moments. It has garnered wide critical and audience appreciation across performances. With this significant artistic success, Samstab reaffirms its commitment to meaningful, high-quality theatre.