Raktakarobi Rekindles Tagore’s Timeless Rebellion

In a stirring tribute to Rabindranath Tagore’s revolutionary spirit, the renowned theatre group Navapalli Natya Sanstha recently staged Raktakarobi at the Muktodhara Auditorium in the capital. A century after its creation, the Nobel laureate’s iconic play continues to resonate with remarkable relevance. As Navapalli—one of the leading theatre groups of the Delhi-NCR region—celebrates 15 years of its artistic journey, this powerful production stands as a testament to its commitment to meaningful and socially conscious theatre.

Historical Echoes

Written in 1923–24, shortly after the Non-Cooperation Movement, Raktakarobi was Tagore’s artistic response to colonial oppression. Audiences of the time would have unmistakably seen the British Raj mirrored in Jokkhopuri’s autocracy. Yet the play transcends its historical context—speaking to environmental degradation, mechanised dehumanisation, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

A Tale of Courage and Conscience

Directed by Biswajit Sinha and set in the fictional land of Jokkhopuri, the play unfolds the story of Nandini, a radiant woman summoned to a palace ruled by an invisible autocrat. The land thrives on gold mines, but its soul is crushed under the weight of exploitation. The Sardars, agents of the ruler, enforce a regime devoid of empathy, reducing miners to mere tools of production.

Nandini’s arrival marks a turning point. Her warmth and defiance breathe life into the sterile corridors of power. Through her, Tagore crafts a poetic resistance—one that doesn’t roar but heals. The King, once detached and tyrannical, is transformed by her presence, leading to a radical shift in governance.

Director’s Insights
Speaking about the making of Raktakarobi, Director Biswajit Sinha remarked:
“To commemorate the hundred years of this masterpiece by Rabindranath Tagore, we have staged this time-tested and ever-relevant symbolic full-length drama as a tribute. We have not altered the main text; rather, we have simplified it in places, without relying on theatrical gimmicks to give it a modernistic look or contemporize it. The original drama itself, through its deep and underlying meanings, reveals the harmful and dehumanising effects of industrialism, and its remedy is clearly depicted. So no political undertone is needed.”

“In the presentation, we have made some theatrical experimentations. At the outset, we incorporated a Zero Scene with all characters on stage, offering a brief essence of the philosophical play from the background to avoid any obscurity and to present the play lucidly. The linear narrative is broken with scenic divisions. Ranjan is shown on stage in silhouette. Raja is shown in his fixed chamber (in his zone) and again mid-stage, in another chamber, with light design using a gobo and two sentries.”

Performance Highlights

Direction and Staging:
Renowned Delhi theatre director Biswajit Sinha effectively captured the colonial atmosphere of the past in this production. By embracing minimalism, the staging allowed the emotional weight of the script to take centre stage. The use of shadow play and symbolic props—particularly the recurring motif of red oleanders—added significant depth to the narrative. Kudos to the entire cast and crew for their outstanding performance! Navapalli Natya Sangathan’s presentation of Raktakarobi was a captivating blend of acting, music, and dance, bringing Tagore’s complex themes to life.

Lead Performances:
Soma Sinha, in the role of Nandini, delivered a masterfully layered performance, gracefully weaving tenderness with an undercurrent of quiet defiance. Her monologues held the audience in rapt attention—the silence palpable—until it erupted into a resounding ovation. Prodip Ganguly (Raja) stood out with his nuanced portrayal.

Other roles were vividly and skillfully portrayed by a gifted ensemble, each adding depth and texture to the performance:
Tushar Chanda as Kishore/Bishu, Tapas Chanda as Aadhyapak, and Biswajit Sinha as Fagulal brought nuance and energy to their characters.
Anita Banerji’s Chandra, Ashish Dutta’s Sardar, and Abhijit Chakrabarti’s Gosain offered compelling portrayals, while Bilas Chakrabarti as Morol and Indrani Chakrabarti as Mahila (Khodaikor) added emotional weight. Moushumi Chakraborty as Sardarni and Shambhunath Sarkar as Ranjan (Gayak) delivered memorable performances, with Pratik Das seamlessly embodying both Ranjan (Mrito) and Prohori (2). Shyamal Majhi’s rhythmic presence as Khol Badak and Roop Sinha’s watchful Prohori (1) rounded out the cast with precision and flair.

Traditional Bengali melodies, interwoven with ambient soundscapes, created a haunting backdrop that evoked both despair and hope. Singers Kaushiki Deb, Shambhunath Sarkar, and Tushar Chanda added emotional depth with their soulful performances. The performance text by Soma Sinha and Biswajit Sinha was a compelling blend of artistry and emotion, elevated by Sutapa Ghosh Dastidar’s evocative narration. The hanging motif of Red Oleander was beautifully crafted by Ria Sinha.

Gaurav Ganguly’s nuanced light design and Sudip Biswas’s thoughtful stage décor created a visually immersive experience, while Abhijit Chakrabarti’s makeup added subtle character depth. Soma Sinha’s attention to detail in props and costumes—shared with Sujata Ganguly—reflected a cohesive aesthetic vision. Arindam Saha’s digital support ensured seamless integration of multimedia elements, and Manosh Choudhuri’s production control maintained precision throughout. The presence of special advisor Prodip Ganguly added a layer of conceptual clarity, making the entire presentation resonant and refined.

A Living Dialogue
Raktakarobi is more than a period piece. In the hands of this Delhi-based theatre group, it became a living dialogue between past and present, oppression and liberation, silence and song. Tagore’s message remains clear: when love and truth enter the palace of power, even the darkest regimes can be undone. The packed auditorium resonated with admiration. “It’s not just a play; it’s a mirror,” said one viewer. Another remarked, “Tagore’s words still challenge us—to love, to resist, and to transform.”