Rupantarer Khela

Photo: Prabir Das

The audience was spellbound by the Tagore dance-drama “Rupantarer Khela,” at the Muslim Institute in Chittagong last Sunday evening.
The event was jointly organised by Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre and High Commission of India, Dhaka to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore. The dance-drama was choreographed and directed by Sutapa Talukdar.
“Rupantarer Khela” highlights Tagore's compositions inspired by Hindustani classical music, folk songs and European tunes.
Fourteen artistes gave dance performances to visualise Tagore's musical compositions. The dance-drama started with the presentation of “Prothoma Adi Shiva Satya”, a composition dedicated to Lord Shiva. Four performers presented the dance composition. This was followed by “Mandire Momo Ke Ashile Hey”.
Four performers danced to “Aaji Bohichhe Bashanta Paban. It was followed by “Kothaye Je Udhhao Holo” -- an ode to monsoon. The composition was first performed in Bhadra, 1332 Bangla year.
Artistes also danced to “Bashanti Hey Bhuban Mohini”, a composition on spring. Rabindranath was inspired by one of his south Indian students, Sabitri Govinda, who sang a south Indian song. When Tagore heard her, he asked her for a piece of paper. Since Sabitri could not find one, she picked up a paper from the wastepaper basket. Rabindranath spontaneously wrote “Bashanti Hey Bhuban Mohini”, following the structure of rhythm and tune of that song. Then Dinendranath Tagore was woken up and asked to prepare the musical notation of the song.
Six performers presented “Shukhoheen Nishi Din Poradhin Hoye”. The composition expressed a complete surrender to the Almighty.
A highlight of the performances was the impressive range of costumes. The use of set and stage was visually attractive as well.