At a time when the idea of nuclear families has found acceptance within most Bengali homes, Janani, which depicts the disintegration of the joint family system, comes rather late in the day. The undercurrents that lead to the break-up of the Bagchi household flow all too familiarly as a theme. But one has to admit that Niva Arts? latest effort (Tapan Theatre, April 22), produces some gripping theatrical moments.

As in any large family, hypocrisy and jealousy govern family dynamics when the members gather for the family Durga Puja. The scene alternates between the open thakur dalan and the private rooms of the Bagchi siblings ? the apparent camaraderie when the family is sitting together is replaced by mistru-st as soon as the members move into their rooms. The deity stands as a mute spectator over this flux. Supriya Devi as the family matriarch delivers a controlled perfor-mance; Srirup Mitra is brilliant as the son Kamal, the ambitious social climber. The only weak link is Sanghamitra Banerjee as the irreverent daughter-in-law, Shelly.

However, it is the ending that lets Janani down. From a social critique it becomes a bag of tricks as a tiny picture of Durga is miraculously transformed into a huge idol. The family is left kneeling in front of it as the curtain drops. Taking recourse to such magic is surely not expected as the final solution.