Shasti: Overview of the Play and Director Bidhan Chandra Halder

About Shasti

Dukhi and Chidem are two poor brothers who work in a Zamindar’s field and are forced to do voluntary labor. Their wives, Radha and Chandara, quarrel constantly. One day, after returning home hungry, Dukhi asks his wife Radha for food. When Radha responds that there is no food left, a tired and hungry Dukhi becomes angry and unintentionally kills her with his sickle.

Ramlochon, the rent collector of the Zamindar, arrives and learns what happened. When Chidam worries about his brother hanging, Ramlochon advises him to tell the court that Dukhi killed Radha during a quarrel over food. Chidam then decides to blame his wife Chandara instead, thinking he can easily get another wife. Insulted and self-respectful, Chandara decides to take the blame upon herself. Chidam eventually breaks down and realizes his fault, but Chandara gets hanged.

The play Shasti was first published in Bengali in Sadhana Patrika in 1300 by Rabindranath Tagore. According to director Bidhan Chandra Halder, Tagore drew lines between the upper Zamindari Pratha, its impact on farmers, and the situation and self-respect of women of that time.

Director Bidhan Chandra Halder

Bidhan Chandra Halder was born on July 4, 1989, in Gobordanga, West Bengal. He completed his Graduation and Masters in Fine Arts (Drama) from Rabindra Bharati University and a one-year residential certificate course on theatre from the National School of Drama, Sikkim. He received the Young Artist Junior Scholarship honor and a Junior Fellowship Award in the Field of Theatre from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

On May 9, 2013, he established the theatre group Gobardanga Rangabhumi. He has directed about 36 plays, acted in more than 18 plays, and trained under numerous renowned theatre personalities. He works with children in schools, villages, and neighboring theatre groups, and has introduced Rooftop Theatre to bring theatre to the general public.

Gobardanga Rangabhumi

Gobardanga Rangabhumi was established on May 9, 2013. The group organizes dance, recitation, theatre workshops, seminars, book publishing, and festivals. Their productions include Devi, Somajer Antorale, Pindare Polasher Bon, Eke Oporer, Kursi, Ajob Desh, Vabnay Gandhi, Durbuddhi, Rajar Khoje, Shasti, Patthar Pe Fool, and Abu O Juto.