Chattopadhyay’s original is considered the first modern Indian novel, which set the precedent for socially conscious writing in modern Indian literature. (Image: Youtube)
Bringing forth the life and culture of Bengal in the century preceding independence, the play, Under The Gypsy Moon, will be performed as part of the Aadyam initiative. A rendition of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic Srikanto, the play, directed by Akash Khurana, will open at the Kamani Auditorium in the national capital on October 7 and 8. Chattopadhyay’s original is considered the first modern Indian novel, which set the precedent for socially conscious writing in modern Indian literature.
No wonder then, it is also considered the writer’s masterpiece. Khurana, who has also adapted the novel for stage, can’t recall how he came up with the idea of doing the adaptation, but when he did, he just knew it had to be done. “There’s always been this affinity to Bengali literature and sensibility. And I had never worked in that space before. Sarat Chandra’s work is marvellous in its complexity and simple in its exposition. Very Dickensian. And I’ve tried to maintain that style in the play’s stylised narrative,” he says.
Aadyam artistic director Divya Bhatia adds: “Under the Gypsy Moon is remarkable; while it is flush with music and charm, is romantic and spiritual, it still retains a curious, wonderful ‘everyman, everyday’ quality to it. It’s rare to see something like this on the stage.”
