The actors realistically recreated what society was like back in the 1890s : Review of the play “Tinkari Dasi”

Dilip Guha, New Delhi: Bengal Association, Delhi, a premier organisation promoting Bengali art, culture, literature, sports etc. of Bengali culture, since 1958, organised a theatre festival to celebrate World Theatre Day on Sunday 2nd of April,2023. Eighteen Bengali theatre groups were gathered at the Muktadhara Auditorium at Capital to celebrate the amazing works of some of the brilliantly-talented playwrights.

On the occasion Navapalli Natya Sanstha (NNS), a leading amateur Bengali theatre group in the capital, brought to stage “Tinkari Dasi”. Scripted by Soma & Biswajit Sinha and directed by Biswajit Sinha the play is a brief account of 19th century celebrated actress Tinkari Dasi of Bengal’s public theatre, a saga of sufferings, agony, and exploitation of a befallen woman and her outcry for social recognition and respect. It is Sheer brilliance on part of the play-writer and director of the play for bringing this story to life in such a moving manner.

The caste, place, and society from which she came did not permit her an independent will. Her prostitute Mother who used to take the decision for her, waited for her to grow up and take up the trade or be a mistress of Bagan bari (landlords). But, it was alarming for Tinkari who always wanted to be an actress and live a respectable life. Although she had problems with her mother but never gave up the idea of joining the theatre.

Later became a front-ranking actress of the public stage under the tutelege of legends Girish Chandra Ghosh and another thespian Ardhendu Sekhar Mustafi She drew the attention of the press for her intense vitality and brilliant portrayal of Lady Macbeth which she acted to perfection, beating even the British actress SaraSidon. In her chequered career, she witnessed many ups and down, and emotional turmoil. Out of compulsion, she agreed to become the kept of Babu of Sinthi, of north Calcutta. She told “I’ve never been arrogant in my life. I didn’t fight with anyone, I didn’t just love theatre. But what do I get in the theatre, how much is my place??”

Director Biswajit Sinha said that Talented actresses like Tinkari Dasi are in oblivion today. But the Bengali theatre is indifferent to her. However, little work has been done on her. So we thought of presenting on the stage of the capital a play based on her full biography. The actors realistically recreated what society was like back in the 1890s and many in the audience would have been tinged with vintage auras.

In terms of acting Sukhangshu Chatterjee as “Girish Ghosh” and Seshadri Mitra as “Ardhendu Sekhar Mustafi” satisfy their director’s brief, etching out their respective characters with creditable flair. Soma Sinha as “Tinkari Dasi”, who is always quite effective with her voice through, shows the performative potential of her character’s role. Other supporting characters performed well. It is worthwhile to mention that Kalyan Ghosal as “Sinthir Babu”, Anita Banerji as “Tinkari’s Mother” and Tushar Chanda as “Young Babu”- respectively do their job with brilliance. Off Stage credits goes to for Music -Biswajit Sinha & Manab Narayan Sen; Lighting -Gaurav Ganguly & Tarak Sarkar; Stage decor- Biswajit Sinha & Sudeep Biswas; Make up-Abhijit Chakrabarty and Costume & Props-by Soma Sinha and Sukhangshu Chatterjee. The well-written script, noteworthy actors, and flawless performances made Tinkari Dasi, a very gripping and touching production.