Bhubaneswar: Sei Lokati, a drama based on the life of popular dramatist Asim Basu, was staged by Asim Basu Foundation at Rabindra Mandap here, Monday.
The ‘autobiographical’ play has Asim character narrating his life. Basu leaves his home Balasore at the age of 16 to study painting in Kolkatta. He befriends Dharanidhar, a tea stall owner, who helps him during his difficulties. After studies he comes back to Cuttack where he tries some jobs for survival.
Eminent novelist Bibhuti Patnaik takes Asim to movie producer Babulal Doshi. Their first meeting leads to a great bonding between Doshi and Basu. Over a period, he graduates into an actor, his first being ‘Panchanan Upakhyana’. The artiste also tries his hands in direction. He was also selected as an artiste of Cuttack radio station.
His paintings, personal struggle and his life as a stage actor, director, writer, poet and as a radio artiste have been showcased well in the play.
Director Choudhury Jay Prakash Das told Orissa POST, “When I was selected to direct the play, I felt like reliving the life of Asim Da who had never compromised with his ideologies. I have tried to enliven his struggle, life and simplicity…”
Lead artiste Choudhury Bikas Das said, “It was an honour to portray Asim basu on stage. He was an encyclopaedia of modern theatre”.
The music for the play was scored by Maruti Puhan and stage was decorated by Pragyan. The audience response to the play was play “overwhelming”, said Jay Prakash Das.
