Transforming a short story to a full-length play is often a problem. It is not easy to put together a lot of additions and yet maintain the true essence of the story. However, that not-so-easy feat has been well achieved by Ramaprasad Banik in his play ‘Patalbabu Filmstar’. The original story was first published in Sandesh in 1963 by Satyajit Ray. It deals with a small incident where Patalbabu, a play enthusiast, gets a chance to act in a movie and has to utter a single sound ‘Ah!’ to enact his role. The playwright and director Ramaprasad has added characters and incidents to support this principal incident and lengthened the show. However, the additions are never in conflict with the original and the incident still retains the central part of the story.
The production by Purba-Pachim was elegant. The acting was crisp. Parthasarathi Deb and Chanda Chattyopadhyay demand special mention in this regard. The stage setup, the background music and the direction of light have adequately enhanced the overall audience experience.

A year before his death Rabindrasangeet exponent Debabrata Biswas encapsulated his disappointments and frustrations in his autobiography Bratyajoner Ruddhasangeet (stifled song of the outcast). Three decades later, a different Bratyajon is presenting a different Ruddhasangeet, a play on Debabrta Biswas’s struggle with establishments. Bratya Basu’s Bratyajon is going to present the premier show of their first theatrical production ‘Ruddhasangeet’ at 6.30pm on March 20 at the Academy of Fine Arts.
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Bratya Basu is a renowned personality in Bengali theatre. The playwright, director and actor has served and enriched Bangla Theatre with his genius and artistry for a prolonged period of time. With time he has proved himself to be one of the most promising neo playwright of Bengal.

After working with many theatre groups as a guest director, Bratya is finally set to create his own group. The new theatrical production group is named ‘Bratyajon’. The new play of Bratyajon has already been written and scripted. Rehearsals are on and the first show of the play is expected in 2009. Schedules for Bratyajon productions will be posted under kolkata corner soon. For more information, click here.

Natyoshala made yet another great performance on 4th October, 2008 as part of the Durga Puja celebration of the Bengalis in Chicago. The play 'Majhipurer Itikatha' was written and performed by the Natyoshala team. The snaps in the slide show above are from the play.

Click links below to watch a few clips online-
Clip I
Clip II

The following was the poster for the same -

Natyoshala enacted the play 'Ekti avastav Galpo' written by Bimal Banerjee on 15th march at Anantik's saraswati puja celebtation at the University Church, 5655 S. University Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. It was a brilliant performance much appreciated by the Bengali crowd assembled for the occasion. While the funny dialogues (specially of Ramsingh) got the audience burst into laughter, the grief and helplessness of K-Mandal touched the hearts of all. The swings in the mood of the play meticulously acted out by the performers through a well-organized team effort aptly supported by the light and the music presented the audience with a perfect drama experience.
Click links below to watch the videos online-
Video Part - I
Video Part - II

You can also visit the Photo Album

Check the detailed Drama Report.

The Natyoshala team performed their original play “patale papakhhoi” in 2007 Durga puja in Chicago. The performance was really outstanding. You can watch the video through this link http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6313346035282662562
You can also download the drama script. Enjoy!!!