Bengali dance-drama ‘Agni Konya’ casts a fiery spell

Nagpur: To celebrate the beginning of auspicious times in the Bengali calendar, Shree Shree Kali Puja Committee organized a three-day event which was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Community Hall of CPWD. A special presentation of a Bengali dance-drama titled ‘Agni Konya’ which means the fiery woman, was performed by the Sangeeta Music College of Kolkata to mark the inauguration of the event.
The drama, written by Shankar Basuthakar, tells the story of five female figures in the Indian history who have defied the odds with their fiery spirits.

The story started off with Sita and how she had to face the ‘agnipariksha’ when her character was questioned. It was only when she walked through fire that Sita was able to prove herself.

Next was the famed leading lady of Mahabharata Draupadi. Wife of five Pandavas, she was said to be born in fire. Time and again, unspeakable acts were performed on her, yet she emerged with her spirit intact.

The third historical figure was Jhansi ki Rani Laxmibai. At just 22, this young queen challenged the mighty British army and with the fire that burned within her, became a symbol of resistance.

The fourth womanly power was Rani Rashmoni, who was widowed at an early age. After taking the reins of her husbands works, Rashmoni ignited the fire in other people through her work. The last female fighter depicted in the drama was Ahaula from Kakdwip, who told people to fight back and commanded them to start the fire in them.

The phenomenal dance-drama performance conveyed the message of women empowerment. It also consisted of various hit Bengali tracks from artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Najul Islam and Salil Chaudhary, making the spectacle a delight to watch.

The guest of the night was Dr Kajal Mitra, dean of Lata Mangeshkar College. The play was directed by Mousami Biswas-Mondal and narrated by Ram Krishna Mondal. Also present were president of the committee Rupak Raj and secretary Nirmalya Sinha.