Paanch Patra Explores 40 Years of Marriage Through Letters

Paanch Patra

Written by Harimohan Jha and adapted by Shri Mahendra Malagia, the play Paanch Patra is directed by Utpal Jha and presented by the group Panchkosi. The work is written in an epistolary style and portrays the changing facets of love, relationships, and the complexities of a 40-year married life.

The narrative follows the protagonist, Dev Krishna, through a series of letters spanning decades. The first letter, written by a recently graduated young man to his future wife, talks about catching a glimpse of her, corresponding with her, and gifting a necklace. Ten years later, the second letter features the protagonist as a responsible householder with two daughters and a son, discussing his wife's health and his elderly mother. By the third letter, after another decade, he struggles to fulfill growing responsibilities and suggests his wife travel to the village. The fourth letter comes after learning from his wife that their son, Bangatbabu, and daughter-in-law have gone to Calcutta. The fifth and final letter is addressed to his son, Bangat.

Writer

Harimohan Jha (1908-1984), born in Kumar Bajitpur village in the Vaishali district of Bihar, contributed to Maithili literature and received the Sahitya Akademi Award. His popular works include Khattar Kaka Tarang, Dwiragaman, Pranamya Devta, and Kanyadaan.

Adaptor

Shri Mahendra Malagia was born in Malangia village of Madhubani district and is fluent in Maithili, Hindi, English, and Nepali.

Director

Utpal Jha, born in Saharsa, Bihar, is an alumnus of Bharatendu Natya Akademi and the National School of Drama.

Group

Panchkosi, founded in 2005, has organized theatre workshops, seminars, and festivals, producing various plays including Paanch Patra.