একটি আধুনিক উপাখ্যান Poster | Credit: Kallol Nandi
Synopsis: Based on short story “The Suitor and Papa” authored by Russian writer Anton Chekhov, the play “A Modern Story” (একটি আধুনিক উপাখ্যান) describes the futility of marriage, relationship, and family in a modern society, delineates a contemporary society in which marriage is given secondary importance rather than job and enjoyment.
Playwright: Mainak Sengupta
Direction, Music, and Set Design : Kallol Nandi
Casts: Subhadeep Ghosh, Kaushik Bardhan, Pranjal Karmakar, and Shubhagato Bhattacharjee
Premiered: Colure 2022, A Theater Festival organized by Chicago NatyoGhosthi on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E Thacker ST, Des Plaines, IL 60016, USA
Photos of Aabaha team at Colure 2022 and scenes of the show
Synopsis: An adaptation of Satyajit Ray’s short story, Potolbabu Filmstar is about a one-time theatre actor, Potol Babu, in his fifties, struggling without a regular job and family responsibilities, who has nearly forgotten his love for acting. Quite by chance, he is given a chance to play a part in a movie. His enthusiasm about the possibilities that this might bring him is dampened when he realises at the movie set that his role is fleeting. His disappointment is overcome as he remembers what his Guru once told him: that every part in an act has that opportunity to enhance and the responsibility to fulfill the larger cause of the production.
Original Story: Satyajit Ray
Playwright: Ramaprasad Banik (Edtited by Soumitra Mitra)
Synopsis: Barnobiparjay, written by Mohit Chattopadhyay, tells the story of an internal quest that resides in every human being and the fear of losing one’s self.
Synopsis: Social crises pushed talented youngs to opt for an anarchist lifestyle, but a doubt was always there in their mind. Story unfolds how they came back to the mainstream when an innocent man was abducted by the gang.
Playwright: Anupam Mukhopadhyay
Direction, Recording & Editing: Kallol Nandi
Casts: Pranjal Karmakar, Debleena Banerjee, and Soutik Das.
Synopsis: One often hears: Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. In Sundar, a play written by Mohit Chattopadhyay, search for a job lands Mallika in a plan hatched on this premise. As she meets people through the layers of the corporate ladder, a ruse leads to quintessential questions, examining relationships and delving deep into the human psyche.
Playwright: Mohit Chattopadhyay
Direction & Editing: Kallol Nandi
Casts: Arjun Ghosh, Amartya Samadder, Chaitali De, Rituparna Banerjee, and Soutik Das.
Makeup: Sarbani Samadder and Enakshi Das
Production Designers: Soutik Das and Pranjal Karmakar
Premiered: International Theater Festival 2021 organized by Aabaha on Sunday, December 19, 2021
Synopsis: In the dark prison of Jerusalem, death by crucifixion awaits a young Rabbi and a notorious murderer. Before Pontius Pilatus lies a choice: to follow his conscience and set the Rabbi free or to succumb to the priests that demand his blood. Rabbi Jesus is declared guilty and Barabbas the murderer goes free. Or does he? Set in the turmoil that follows, “Resurrection” written by Soumitra Basu, tells the story of changing hearts, of struggle, of faith, of cruelty, and of hope.
Children’s Day Poster | Credit: Rina Datta Chakravorty
Synopsis: Shishudibas (Children’s Day) tells the story of a journey from the rural outskirts to the bustling metro chasing the hope of a miraculous cure and a chance of life for a child and his family. Being referred to the hospital in the big city, Sarama and Gokul risk it all in their desperate bid to save the life of their newborn child. Staged on the background of November 14th, a day hailed as Children’s Day, the play places a seething attack on the hypocrisy within our society.
Playwright: Mainak Sengupta (based on a short story written by Dibyendu Palit)
Direction: Kallol Nandi
Casts: Arko Pandit, Rina Chakravorty, Kallol Nandi, and Subhadeep Ghosh.
Sound and Technical Support: Kaushik Bardhan
Premiered: Panodrama 2021 organized by Brishchik and Bhindeshi, Seattle, WA, USA on Saturday, November 13th, 2021
Synopsis: Forty years old memories and a concealed love were evoked after discovering Bishakha in a park, Pralayesh Sen, a world-famous painter, elicited his question that was haunting him time to time. They went deep into their feelings but their lives have drawn them far apart.
Premiered: Shruti Natak Utsab organized by Bilate Bangali on March 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM EST of USA.
অসময় (Torment of the Times) Poster | Credit: Rina Datta Chakravorty
Synopsis: Questions have to be answered and truth looks right into their eyes when a thief, a mere child driven by hunger and deprivation, breaks into the home of a middle class family. Torn between what they know is right and yet at times knowingly going against their conscience to satisfy their need and greed, Asamay shows the wrangle between ideals and survival.