Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Guwahati, May 27: A Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay classic that had escaped the attention of theatre directors in Assam for 125 years will finally make its proscenium debut this August.

Theatre veteran Ranajit Sutrodhar is working on the Assamese stage version of Anandamath, a Bengali novel whose plot revolves around the battle for Independence, as a tribute to freedom martyrs on the 60th anniversary of Independence.

The 1882 novel was staged only once in Assam before by a jatra troupe from Bengal several decades ago.

The Assamese adaptation has been in the works for a couple of years now and Sutrodhar believes it will be his “magnum opus”. He intends to stage it in August, on or around Independence Day. “The play will be a costume drama with a large cast and crew and will entail a massive investment of funds. I am looking for aid from the government and the private sector,” Sutrodhar said.

The national song, Vande Mataram, was first published as a part of this novel and Sutrodhar wants to use his play to “clear all misconceptions” regarding the lyrics having religious connotations.

“Last year, there was a massive national debate about Vande Mataram. Our national song symbolises the zeal of freedom fighters during the great struggle for Independence and dubbing the song ‘non-secular’ is wrong. The play will clear the misconceptions about this beautiful song,” he said.

Set against the background of the Sannyasi Rebellion of the late 1700s, Anandamath is counted among the most significant novels in the history of Bengali and Indian literature.

On the risks involved in staging a historical play, Sutrodhar said his experience of staging a mega-theatrical presentation before would come in handy.

The director staged his critically acclaimed play Enajori with 101 characters at the District Library auditorium in Guwahati about 13 years ago. “I love to challenge myself. Working on a historical drama always entails risk. Be it the costumes or the props, a lot of research goes into staging such plays,” Sutrodhar said.

His “magnum opus” will have around 60 characters, in small as well as meaty roles. After his play debuts in Guwahati, the director wants to take it across the country.