Continuing Director’s Note

So, the family of Rangroop decided that the ‘Sesh Raksha’ will be performed. Just a few decades ago how simple, human to human relationship were, by the characters in ‘Sesh Raksha’ we sit, talk and move with them. If it is not assumed for the sake of argument, this is a love story, which is completely superfluous or unnecessary for contemporary people, then I will say what happened. At that time there are many people in board daylight a kissing competition is organized between the lovers in the gathering, if we want to take a look back at the thread of the time, and if there are lot of questions, or complaints, but why should I still say, no, not me, if he is the last to say what is evil?

Who is there who has not carefully preserved a letter, a ring, a melody, anything of old? That letter is the idol of my past. It has no value, only because it contains my past, it has so much felicitation. I am not sycophant; I am not hanging from a tree. I am enjoying the sun outside, the rain outside, but I am standing on the ground of my past. Those who work, they are very wise people. They don’t have any superstitions. They only do what they need. I think until the age of ten they call mother, after that they called by name. Everything that is unnecessary in the past they call it superstition and unnecessary, and why they want to shake it off? They do not understand that in the eyes of knowledge, all necessary and non–essential are not grasped’.

I hope that not with the eye of a pure scholar, but with a humorous mind, the audience will judge the humour of this play with the eyes of a humourist.

Mohit Chattopadhyay on the play Sesh Raksha

‘Shesh Raksha’ is not the kind of play that would rank among Rabindranath’s best play. Rabindranath’s own style of drama is also not followed in this play– it is reflected in his last play. Shesh Raksha is Composed following the tradition of the time. Although within the tradition, a drama is bright and unique in the light of Rabindranath’s talent. Shesh Raksha is a popular romantic comedy by Rabindranath .During that time and later, many actors and actresses got memorable by playing various roles in this play. Features of Shesh Raksha, its witty, elegant, witty dialogue and enjoyable plot and character building.

Rabindranath is a dramatist of international standard. His composition is the pride of Bengali drama. But unfortunately, the practice and staging of Rabindranath plays did not get proper scope. So, Rangroop theatre group has done the right thing by staging Shesh Raksha. The play is directed by Sima Mukhopadhyay. Sima Mukhopadhyay is a skilled director, a dramatist, a powerful actress. I have noticed in the rehearsal of her a drama, what a great sense of drama, skill, sincerity and hard work she producing her drama in a short time. Respected artists responding to her call and cooperated in this staging work.

I saw that audience is coming to watch the play with love, they are happy to see it. Let the Shesh Raksha continue on the road to success .

Badal Das on the play Sesh Raksha

The director has to handle the various stages from drama selection to staging and acting. Make up, costumes, stage /scenery, lighting, music, all these have to be masterfully woven into unity. The officials of various departments have to give from her aspiration – at least they have to try. when Director Siam Mukhopadhyay expressed her wished to do Rabindranath’s 'Shesh Raksha', she asked me to do the stage design. I love someone doing Rabindranath – still do. He is almost absent in today’s theatre. The thought crossed my mind, since I often stage design my own production, I thought of Sima’s request. But an inconvenience also remained in mind. The one who plans the scenario has to keep up with the preparation of play . This advantage lies in the production of own team .But in case, the condition of my body did not allow me to see any rehearsal of Rangroop. So, after some discussion with director, we tried to give a glimpse of old Kolkata on paper after understanding the relevance as much as possible. I could not do anything more. The day of photographic naturalism are over on our stage. But only hints were given to property a form of realism (in this case the house of that period in Kolkata). Again, making a positional change, back side of the flats are distinguished by different colours. An attempt was made to imagine a different scenario. Honestly, what more does he need? Actors and actresses do the rest. What is the need of thoroughly naturalist dramatization .If you can give an idea of the atmosphere , the actors and actresses will create the rest . Why not the scenery – what is done, is for the stage and actresses not for the drama any more Creating a structure where actors can move freely. Staging is not statement – it’s all about the words that need to be said. Creating a space is nothing more than a diameter. In Sesh Raksha Chandrakant Babu jokingly says that jasmine dose not fits me rather than white scarf fits me better, check it out. The adornment of that white sheet has been examined in the stage plan.

Good direction, good acting, good music, concept, good staging, good costumes, good make up. Good - good ¬– good I could have done without giving so any good things. I should have told all the sections with a good once, but I did not do that. All sections are really good so I have to emphasized on all of them . And best of all are Indumati, Gadai, Kamalmukhi and Vinod. Their performance has given the immense love. Bravo, Indumati. Don’t give up on acting. Same says, bravo for Kamalmukhi, Gadai and Vinod. They are successful in Sesh Raksha. I am impressed by the performance of those children. Nothing in the theatre comes and goes in my fascination. But let me say that their performance in this play inspired me to light, made me think, gave me joy, so in the play Sesh Raksha I used to light happily. Although the words are childish I will say that for 30 years in the theatre ,this is the first time I have seen such a Rabindra Natak .Simple as clear as water.

Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta has done very good music .This kind of music is really tempting in the application of light (if the lighting artist has a sense of theatrics). Chandrakanta, Kshantamani, Nibaran, Sivacharan’s acting like guardian. He played the right role . Those four boys and girls played all the time on the stage. Indu, Kamal, Gadai, Vinod. I never thought they were acting. It looked so real; you can’t understand it without seeing it. Theatre student, new theatre worker should watch this play.

I have worked with Siam a lot before. But this time the work is completely different Such good work of all section of all play is truly a new addition to Bengali theatre. I am optimistic. All kinds of audience will enjoy watching this play.