He is unwanted to a lot of people. Who is he? And who are these ‘lot of people’? Perhaps it is inevitable that you must journey alone across the path of truth. Satyakam, the son of Jabala, is a person without ‘gotra’ as his paternal link is unknown. When he goes to the home of a Guru to be educated, he is again questioned about the same paternal linkage. He becomes the butt of ridicule to other fellow disciples. But he is reared by Jabala with dedication to truth. She says, I have no sin. I am pure. Truth is my vow. And Satyakam is the reward of my keeping the vow. Instead of learning at ashram, Satyakam is entrusted with a different kind of duty. According to the advices of Acharya Gautam he roams about lonely in nature’s lap with the responsibility of caring the old and diseased cows. He acquires knowledge from the Nature in its entirety. He faces the truth manifest as creative and real. Satyakam returns to the ashram within the stipulated time and Gurudev notices his eyes sparkling with knowledge. But Satyakam… the son of Amrit, reared with the affections of a pure mother, is now flowing with self-knowledge.
Writer
Dr. Snehashis Bhattacharyya’s first play was Swapnoparosh which was staged by Natyaranga theatre group in 2011. He was selected to participate in the International Playwrights’ Workshop organized by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, to commemorate the birth centenary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, and wrote a drama Sada Pata based on a Tagore’s story. His plays are Agnisikha Eso, Journey for Freedom, Khule Dekh Dwar, Mr. Bhulu, Chaturtha Natak, Gobhir Asukh, Kukur Hoite Sabdhan, Anahuto, and Jibankahini to name a few. Two of his major publications are Kalkut: Antohin Anweshan – a criticism of literature of Samaresh Basu and Mr. Bhulu O Anyanya Natak – a collection of five Bengali plays. His novel Power Game, is written on contemporary theatre world.
Director
Biplab Dey grew in a family having deep interest in music and Jatra. In 1996, he joined Ritwik, Berhampore. He trained himself under the supervision of renowned theatre directors of Bengal like Bibhas Chakraborty, Usha Ganguly, and others. He has directed plays like Sesh Raksha, Aadi Raja, Aandhare Surjo, Juto, Ghosts, Champabati, Tusher Agun, Gora, Apan Ghar, Kana Khora Bekar Jora, Charan Gatha to name a few.
Director’s Note
To locate one’s own space in world’s map, you must acquire a distinct entity. Our India does have that quality. To be a part of India you do not have to be a part of a specific cast, community, creed, religion, or race. But now division and hate are playing crucial roles to infect our veins. But it is possible to develop a diverse society that may reach the desired state of a cultured and esteemed nationality.
Group
Ritwik theatre group was stablished on 8th May, 1980. The group conducts workshops, seminars, and other theatre related activities throughout the year. Besides theatre there are two other arenas where Ritwik is involved – one is recitation; another dance. The group has produced several acclaimed productions.