Raktokorobi : Tagore's play with universal appeal

Ataur Rahman and Aupee Karim enacting a dramatic scene in intricate light and shadow

The play focuses on the dwellers of a place called "Jagnapuri" (sacrificial ground). The city is opulent but it lacks humanity. The leviathan King of the place, according to the mythology, is Kuber, but Tagore calls him Makar-Raj, as the play is not based on myth. One day a beautiful young maiden Nandini, symbolising purity, comes to the place in search of Ranjan, her beloved. Every male in the vicinity wants her, even the King himself. But no one can get a hold of her. As a result, the emptiness in every individual soul turns to cruelty.

Eventually the King breaks down the walls of prejudice solely to get the girl. And a new conflict arises between the subjects and the King.

Md Saiful Islam has designed the set and Nasirul Haque Khokon is the light designer.

Nagorik Natya Sampradaya will stage Raktokorobi at the Experimental Theatre Stage as part of the ongoing theatre festival arranged by BGTF.