SAJANO BAGAN I Play by MANOJ MITRA I BANGLA DRAMA

SAJANO BAGAN
a play by Manoj Mitra
SAJANO BAGAN is a story of three generations within two families.
Chaukori Datta, the deceased landlord, his son, Naukori Datta, and his grandsons, Hotka and Kotka form the Datta clan. Over many years, the Datta’s had their greedy eyes fixed on Banchaaram Kapali’s orchard. Many a time had Chaukori sent his “lethels” (thugs) to beat up Banchaa and take over his orchard, but was never successful. Each and every time, Banchaa, single-handedly, beat them back.
Banchaaram was a poor farmer. Through years of hard work he had made his orchard the “prestige of the district”. The lone survivor in old Banchaa’s family was his grandson, Goopi. Goopi married Padma, who being a woman of strong character, became Banchaa’s mainstay.
Chaukari, having failed in his lifetime to usurp Banchaa’s orchard, roamed in his ghostly form hoping for the day when his son, Naukari, would fulfill his dreams. The day came when Naukari struck a deal with Banchaa to give him full ownership of the property on the latter's death in return for two hundred rupees on the first day of every month.
Things were looking good for Naukari - Banchaa’s health was failing! But everything took a turn when Goopi, who had been estranged from his grandfather, returned with his newly-wed wife, Padma. Goopi had no means of a livelihood, hence the reason for his return. However, his hopes of a future were dashed when Banchaa told them about the “deal”. Goopi was ready to leave, but Padma would not budge. The only way to remain with a roof over their heads was to keep Banchaa alive - and that is what they did.
Padma started taking good care of the old man, who gradually gained strength. His old hunched frame could now move with relative ease. This worried Naukari. He became more and more anxious by the day. This was affecting his health. Finally, the constant worry and stress caused him to suffer a stroke.
Banchaa, being the simpleton that he was, felt ashamed that he should be the reason for Naukari’s failing health. He blamed himself for it and decided that he should end his life and promised Naukari that he would do so.
Banchaa did keep his word; he did try to commit suicide by pouring insecticide down his throat. But just as Banchaa was about to drink the poison, Padma gave birth to a baby boy. Banchaa, who was the only one around, helped deliver the child.
The instant bond between him and the newborn was so great that he could not end his life. There was something in life to look forward to. Naukari, who had come that dark night to take Banchaa’s corpse to the cremation grounds, could not bear it any more. He collapsed and passed away in the arms of a grieving Chaukari!
And the orchard which had caused so much grief to generations of landlords would be inherited in time by Goopi’s newborn son.
A Few Words about the Play:
Sajano Bagan was written by Manoj Mitra in 1976-77. It was first performed in November, 1977, at Mukta Angan in Kolkata by Sundaram (a theatre group founded by Manoj Mitra), with Manoj Mitra in the lead role of Banchaaram Kapali. The immense popularity of the play later resulted in a film version, Banchaaramer Bagan, in 1980.
Theatre critics believe that this is arguably the best play that Manoj Mitra has written, where he has shown great mastery of black humour. 'Sajano Bagan' draws laughter all along. The old man, clinging on to life, becomes stronger by the day, with the landlord weakening in sheer despair at this ‘unwelcome’ sight.
Through brilliant comedy, this play paints a social picture of parasitic landlords and the plight of their hapless subjects in pre-independent rural Bengal.
CAST
Banchaaram Kapali - Supratik Mukherji I Chaukari Datta - Subhashis Chanda I
Naukari Datta - Shamsul Islam I Naukari-Ginni - Anuradha Mukherjee I
Goopi - Siddhartha Ganguly I Padma - Shibani Ghosh I
Moktar - Priyankar Ghosh I Hotka & Kotka - Bapi Mazhar I
Gobinda Daktar - Arun Datta I Purohit - Sanjay Ghosh
Produced by Bengali Association of Western Australia & The Team of 'Sajano Bagan'
Directed by Biswajit Munshi
Performed at Nexus Theatre, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, on 30 August, 2008