Sohini Sengupta, Swatilekha excel in Nandikar's Bipannata

Fear as an 'externalized emotion or feeling', as the likely cause behind conflicts, confusions and contradictions, is the subject of Bipannata .And within the 'confines' of her role as a psychologist, director Sohini Sengupta explores the pertinent issue of fear psychosis in this Nandikar production.
Play: Bipannata
Production: Nandikar
Cast: Swatilekha Sengupta, Sohini Sengupta
Director: Sohini Sengupta
Rating: ****
While there isn't much to be written about the stage or costume design, the lighting segment deserves a mention for focusing on the truly poignant issues.From hypnotic back lights, which try to delve into the inner workings of the psyche, to dramatic spotlights when truths are bared, the production has it all. The effect is particularly striking in thephansi scene' where the sudden spotlight heightens the impact of Ujaan's hollow-mouthed silent scream.
The trauma associated with noise -the endless “aai-aai-aai" (read: “I, I, I“) of so-called intellectuals, “dhai-dhai-dhai" of guns -is emphasized. Violent images of terrorist attacks, wars, riots which the `evolved mind' has apparently grown accustomed to -are projected in the background. The impact of `breaking' news headlines is also underscored. In fact, Sohini delivers her best when she sums up the `general reaction' to a youngster's untimely death with a serene smile and the chilling words, “Chhele morey gelo, baba unmaad... bhaggish ore ma benche nei“.
Swatilekha Sengupta effortlessly traverses the journey from a school teacher who keeps guessing the psychologist's thoughts (“Apni nishchoi bhabchen...“) to the mother who literally loses her mind to contradictory theories a therapist throws at her. The manner in which she portrays symptoms of fear psychosis -her ramblings, disjointed speech, disordered thought process -is remarkable. Not surprisingly , even after the curtains come down, her repeated cries of “chaina", seem to echo in the auditorium.
They say hell and heaven are a state of mind. But if we live in a world where the mind is full of fear, isn't the paradise already lost?