“The Farewell Letter”: A dramatised English reading of Sesher Kobita comes to Kolkata

A different kind of love story is set to unfold in Kolkata this May—one that finds meaning not in union, but in parting. The Farewell Letter, a dramatised English reading of Sesher Kobita by Rabindranath Tagore, will be staged on 2 May at Gyan Manch. The presentation is conceived and staged by Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee. Moving beyond conventional theatrical formats, it uses voice, performance and character interplay to reinterpret one of Tagore’s most introspective works.

At its core, Sesher Kobita questions traditional constructs of love and marriage. Set within an intellectual, self-aware milieu, it explores a relationship that consciously chooses distance over domestication, and individuality over convention—a theme that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

This English adaptation, inspired by the translation of Radha Chakravarty, has been directed by theatre veteran Sohag Sen. Known for her nuanced and globally recognised work, Sen retains the philosophical depth of the original text while shaping it into a more immediate, performative experience for today’s audience.

The ensemble cast includes Shubhayan Sengupta, Solanki Roy, Anusha Viswanathan and Sohag Sen, with Debopriyo Mukherjee in a special appearance. The narrative will be guided by storytellers Poulomi Bose and Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, while violinist Sandipan Ganguly will add a live musical layer to the reading. Light and stage design are by Kaushik Bose.

By presenting the work in English, the production seeks to broaden its reach, allowing Tagore’s layered storytelling to connect with non-Bengali audiences as well as the diaspora.

Bringing together literature, performance and music, The Farewell Letter revisits Sesher Kobita not simply as a love story, but as a meditation on choice, individuality, and the quiet dignity of letting go.

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