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Bhubaneswar, July 15: Artistes of Kalinga Kala Parishad, Rourkela, enacted the play ‘BPL’ at Rabindra Mandap, Friday. The play carried the message that farmers across the state should be empowered to prevent them from committing suicide.
The drama was part of an event the state culture department organised in association with Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi and Orissa Theatre Association. The work by playwright Ranjit Patnaik was directed by Nalini Bihar Nayak.
The story is set in the village Tikrapadar whose residents are being exploited by powers that be. The protagonist, Ghenu, a poor farmer attempts suicide as he has fallen into a debt trap and is out of options to escape the situation.
A social activist prevents Ghenu from ending his life and convinces him not to resort to the extreme measure. The volunteer asks Ghenu to apply for a BPL card which the government issues to the poor.
Residents of Tikrapadar had been unaware of the existence of such cards and the benefits they offered as the local authorities had not sensitised them about these cards.
However, there is a twist in the tale. Ghenu refuses to be referred to as a BPL cardholder and decides to change his fortunes himself. He collects money with help from family members and villagers and starts a business, which clicks. Ghenu’s son, who had joined the naxals, returns home and begins helping his father to run the business.
The play with a positive message was enacted by 18 artistes.
Radhashyam Mohanty, the general secretary of Kalinga Kala Parishad, said: “The play targets farmers who have been losing hope owing to debt. It shows they can generate money on their own collectively. We included elements of music and dance in the play to keep the audience interested. The play was much acclaimed at the Lok Natak Mahotsav this year and we will enact it in Assam soon.”
The parishad has already created more than a hundred plays and is planning to come out with its next play ‘Bhadra Loko’ soon.
Umakant Bisoi, who played Ghenu, said the role was one of the most challenging one he has played till date. “The play runs for two hours and I had to constantly keep up the act of an aged man. It was difficult to do it. Another problem was language, I had to speak Sambalpuri which was difficult. But I loved portraying the role.”
Umakant has already acted in more than 60 plays and some of his famous plays include ‘Karubakai’ (he played as freedom fighter), ‘Samuka Samadhi’ (as a comedian) and ‘Pratikhya’ (as hero).
The 57-year-old actor, who is also an employee at Rourkela Steel Plant, is also a popular singer and painter.
He bagged state award for painting in 2002.
Khechud Singh, another member of the cast who played the role of Pradipta Kumar Das in the play, said: “I played a block chairman in the play. The character helps higher authorities exploit the poor. He goes on to realize his folly and ends up supporting the villagers at the end.”
Khechud is a businessman and theatre is his hobby.