Love burnt by the flames of melancholy

Inspired by “Bhanusingher Padabali”, one of Tagore's earliest works, noted Bangladeshi poet Sheikh Hafizur Rahman wrote the dance-drama.Photo: Mumit M.

As a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore, Nrityanchal premiered a dance-drama, “Rai Krishna Padabali”, at National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on February 24.
Inspired by “Bhanusingher Padabali”, one of Tagore's earliest works, noted Bangladeshi poet Sheikh Hafizur Rahman wrote the dance-drama.
The philosophy of true love took root in Tagore's heart when he studied the sage poets Jaidev and Vidyapati. Tagore not only composed the extraordinary lyrics, but also the soulful music. The dance-drama, “Bhanusingher Padabali”, unfurls with the classic composition by Jaidev and ends with Govinda Das' composition. It also includes a composition by Vidyapati -- Tagore's heartfelt tribute to the Vaishnav saint.
There goes a popular maxim -- love ultimately wins when it mingles with melancholy. The love between the human soul (represented by Rai or Radha) and eternal soul (Krishna) holds this concept true.
The endless journey of love between Rai and Krishna was set in Brindaban. Rai (donned by danseuse Shamim Ara Nipa) is distraught prior to Krishna's (donned by Shibly Mohammad) ascension to the throne of Mathura. Rai shares unforgettable memories of Krishana with the Gopes and Gopinis (friends) -- Subal, Lalita, Bishakha, Brinda and others.
Meanwhile, Krishna's childhood friend Subal informs Rai of Krishna's intention of meeting her. Rai's longing for Krishna intensifies as she waits. The moment Krishna appears, she, however, feels awestruck. Her love, burnt by the flames of melancholy, has turned into ash.
Krishna tried to appease her by praising her beauty. Eventually after endless persuasion by Krishna, Radha manages to control her emotions. She surrenders herself to him.
A raas leela follows, where Gope-Gopinis (donned by 70 artistes of Nrityanchal) dance to celebrate Rai and Krishna's eternal love.
Renowned Bangladeshi and Indian singers -- Haimanti Shukla, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Manomoy Bhattacharya, Antara Chowdhury, Jayati Chakrobarty and Agniv Bandyopadhyay -- lent their voices to the musical. Noted Indian elocutionists Soumitra Chatterjee, Prodip Ghosh, Bratati Bandyopadhyay, Debashish Basu and Amit Roy narrated the story. Ratna Chowdhury, of India, directed the music.
Nuruddin Faruk Shubho's set design, Sabuj Bhuiyan and Nasirul Haque Khokon's impressive light design deserve praise. Multimedia direction and editing by Palash Sarkar added a dimension to the live performance.
Sukalyan Bhattacharya, who presented an incredible piece in the production, planned and directed the dance-drama. The artiste also planned the costumes and props. Saheli Mahapatra and Pralay Sarkar jointly assisted him in direction.
Sheikh Hafizur Rahman's “Rai Krishna Padabali” was edited by Shankar Talukdar to suit the presentation.
At the end of the show, the emcee of the programme, noted media personality and co-ordinator of Nrityanchal Muhammad Jahangir invited the chief guest, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad; writer of the dance-drama Sheikh Hafizur Rahman; seasoned singer Haimanti Shukla and other dignitaries to the stage.