Tagore's musical Tasher Desh staged by Surer Dhara

A colourful portrayal of the musical by the artistes

While staging Tasher Desh Surer Dhara tried to maintain the trend introduced by Tagore. Costumes and art direction were based on the works of Nandalal Bose. Tasher Desh is a satire on the then social environment of undivided India during the last phase of the British raaj. The play begins with a prince exasperated by the monotonous restrictions and boundaries of the royal palace.

In a state of boredom, he embarks on a voyage with a young merchant. As destiny would have it, they fall prey to a violent tempest and after the shipwreck finally find refuge on the 'Island of cards' -- a domain inhabited and ruled by cards. The prince makes an important discovery through the robot-like lifestyle led by the residents of the island. There is no laughter, no mirth and no tears. In other words the inhabitants are devoid of emotions.

The prince makes an attempt to break the robotic existence of the 'cards' by explaining to them what it is like to give in to one's innermost feelings and passion. The result is outstanding.

Tasher Desh emphasises the philosophy of creation. Tagore believed that an existence is meaningless if it's devoid of expressions of human emotions. Only means to overcome a stagnant social state is through the removal of rigid regulations. In other words imposed social order can never be permanent and in such a case society itself looks for a revolution.