The stage is Swapan Ganguly’s first love, the arc lights, his treasured passion. Attached to the stage for the past 32 years, directing and writing scripts for plays and performing all over the country, he state assistant secretary of Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan (NBBSS), also writes short stories and poetry.

His two sons, elder Hrithik and the younger Parikshit, have followed in their father’s footsteps. Although professionally Parikshit is an interior decorator and his elder brother runs a poultry farm, both are intimately attached to the stage and hardly miss an opportunity to stand under the arc lights. The following is a typical family debate.

The first hitch

Swapan doesn’t like his sons’ argumentative attitudes while the sons always want to defy his patriarchal dominance. “Whenever they do something wrong, they start shouting to prove their point. Parikshit is the louder of the two,” complains Swapan.

Swapan admits being short-tempered and admits passing on the quality to his next generation.

Parikshit says suddenly, “But he gets annoyed because of no apparent reason. Sometimes he simply makes his own imaginary assumptions and does not bother to listen to my problem.”

By his side

The father is content that his children are understanding and mature. “Never ever had I to face any embarrassing situation because of my sons. Their friends are part of our family friends’ circle and they have never kept any bad company”, says the proud father.

Their maturity comes from the fact that they have taken to supporting their family from an early age. Right after the younger son completed his graduation, he started his interior decoration business independently. Hrithik started his career as a sales person and continued for quite some time with a meagre amount before his income increased.

Daddy cool

“There was a reason behind it,” says the elder son. “Our father provided a friendly environment. Even if we made mistakes, we felt free to confess, without fear of any punishment.”

Swapan is happy with his sons and talks about the different basic natures of his sons. “While my elder son can can lead a helping hand in doing any household chore, if required, my younger son can only do work outside the home. Parikshit maintains a air of class around him while my younger son is simpler”, said the father.

Hrithik loves the rural essence, and can adjust to the rural milieu. Parikshit is city-centric and has decided to settle in the capital.

Like father, like son

One thing that the sons have learnt from their father is his “never-say-die” attitude. “Life has so many ups and downs, one has to be strong enough to face hardships and adverse situations,” Swapan felt. “No work from polishing boots to pulling a rickshaw, is derogatory. Never feel frustrated or depressed about the work you do,” the father had advised his sons, who followed his words.

Lessons learnt

“Love thy culture” — the brothers had been told time and again. An inherent respect for culture runs in their blood. Both siblings have developed interest in Bengali songs, literature, theatre and the way of life.

By God

While neither Swapan nor Hrithik have blind faith in god, Parikshit is a devout believer. “There is no temple left in the capital where I have not offered my prayers. I believe my success is directly proportional to my belief in the Almighty”, says Parikshit.

The brothers have always been supportive of their father. They helped collect money for his street plays, dramas and looked after the administrative side from their school days. “They understood my engagements and never demanded much of my time”, says the proud father. Today Swapan is a happy man, who has taken voluntary retirement from service. His sons are well-settled and married and have their own families.

Abhijeet Mukherjee