BHUBANESWAR: A visual narration of Prasanna Kumar Mishra’s 1982 poem ‘Pakaana Boma’ was released on the occasion of International Women’s Day and is garnering more views by the day.
The conflict between India and its terrorist-infested neighbour Pakistan was deescalated recently. With a huge majority of India’s population clamouring for war, the video depicts the horrors of war that our previous generations had to face.
It gives a blood-curdling description of killings that took place in the name of religion. The narration sends a strong message to spread love and peace. Each dance step in the video is in sync with the voice.
Although the poem was written on the bombings in Hiroshima, it is all the more relevant today due to numerous conflicts we witness. “It is an anti-war poem that contradicts the reasons that politicians give for waging a war. It implies the pointlessness of war,” said storyteller Prachitra.
She added, “The narration portrays the imagery of war in the view of a child whose thoughts have not been corrupted yet. The world is going through a rough phase of political instability in many countries. Hence, we felt that this was the right time to release the project and send the message of love, peace and non-violence.”
This is the first-ever duet of recitation and dance in Odia. “The dance has been beautifully choreographed by one of the finest Kathak dancer Anindita. Each word has been portrayed with immense emotion and facial expression. I had sent her the recitation and English translation for her reference,” said Prachitara.
“I met Prachi during my visit to Odisha for a show and while we were discussing on various issues and how a classical dancer needs to tell a story away from mythology and epics to connect the younger audience, she came up with the proposal of doing something artistic with a poem penned by her father,” said US-based Kathak dancer Anindita Neogy Anaam.
Produced under the banner of Prachitarafilms, the camera has been handled by Suvendu Ghadai and Shaaz Anaam while post production has been done at Phoenix Films Lab.