Rabindra Sarobar open-air theatre revived with Balmiki Pratibha show

KOLKATA: The trajectory of the moon behind the stage…quiet ripples on the surface of the lake, and the trees swaying slowly as living props. It was the most magical presentation of Balmiki Pratibha, perhaps a recall of what Kaviguru had once overseen in the openness of his ashram decades ago.
Among the 500-odd quality audience that had crowded the mound at Rabindra Sarobar was a regular visitor to the lakes, SK Sinha Roy (70), who chanced upon the spectacle.“I have never seen such a beautiful Balmiki Pratibha, and to think it’s being performed in the natural settings of the lake that’s named after Rabindranath.” The lake that provides breathing space for south Kolkata which was declared a national lake in 2002, was only left to go moribund until a few years ago.
The show on Saturday was unusual in many ways – it one of the few occasions that a prominent theatre production group performed at the 192-acre Rabindra Sarobar, marking the revival of the open-theatre after a gap of 35 years.
The 120-minute Balmiki Pratibha that’s now closely associated with the celebrated Alokananda Roy and her team from correctional homes who worked with her as part of a dance therapy movement (already performed in excess of 70 shows), added a new dimension to the successful experiment.
“Today’s show was like breathing fresh air and dancing along with Mother Nature,” said danseuse Roy. “My troupe has done open-air shows in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan and at a couple of Puja pandals in Mumbai, but performing here was magical -- like performing at Hyde Park,” she said.
For her team, it was a rewarding experience -- because of a combination of the holiday season, winter nip and the magnificent Rabindra Sarobar environment, said Roy.
“We are proud to have played a part in bringing theatre back to this famous location and hope that citizens, sponsors and performers will come forward to contribute to this location. There is a need to not only hope that citizens, sponsors and performers will come forward to contribute to his location. There is a need to not only revive the performing arts but also bring people back to open spaces, which we hope our production will help achieve.”
The 192-acre Rabindra Sarobar has attracted recent investments by the government in rebuilding new walkways and lighting. “The one thing that the reinvented Rabindra Sarovar needs is ‘software’ that can enhance the experience of being in a world-class national park,” said Mudar Patherya, activist committed t enriching the facility. “We resumed weekend music performances complete free for the public under the Live in Lakes banner. Theatre was our missing link and the re-introduction of theatre represents a new cultural dimension.”
Jayanta Chatterjee, a familiar face at the lakes, said he was overwhelmed to watch a play at the Sarobar: “This is truly the maturing of the endeavour to revive the sprawling patch of green.”
The audience was a mixed lot – from those who had been invited formally, to the curious visitors who come here every sundown to socialize, introspect or for a romantic rendezvous. For once, they were up from their lake-facing benches to soak into Tagore’s lilting melody.