A scene from the play Laluksola during the Natasurjya Nat Samaroh

The recently-concluded weeklong Natasurjya Nat Samaroh at the District Library auditorium in Guwahati, presented eight plays. Of these, Laluksola by writer Kula Saikia stands out for its unique content and treatment.

Staged by the artistes of distinguished amateur theatre troupe, Na-Purani Silpi Samaj, under the direction of senior theatre activist Kandarpa Mahanta, Laluksola depicts a serious, fresh and unusual effort by playwright Saikia to give a new interpretation to a significant chapter during the Ahom rule in Assam, featuring Laluksola Borphukan.

While in Assamese history the character of Laluksola Borphukan — the undisputed army chief of the then Ahom kingdom — has been described as a ruthless killer, a terror to the people and a cunning conspirator, who had made a secret deal with the Mughal rulers in Delhi to oust the then Ahom king, Saikia tries to explore the logic behind Laluksola’s actions in his play.

“He was ambitious but never autocratic. He wanted to become the king. And he could have become so quite easily because during that period it was he who had virtually ruled the entire state. But he wanted to win the hearts of the people first. This is a historical fact but has not been understood or highlighted properly. This is where my basic attempt as a playwright lies,” said Saikia.

In the process of giving a new interpretation to Laluksola in context of the socio-political events of Assam during that time, the playwright has introduced some moments of self-contradictory attitude in the protagonist.

Some examples are Laluksola’s contradictory stand in case of Debera Barua and Joymati Kunwari and his facing the mirror at night questioning the legitimacy of the harsh political decisions that he took during the day.

All these elements have taken the play to rare heights and one would obviously appreciate such an effort to introspect on a historical event from a fresh perspective.

Although the required sharpness in designing some of the crucial scenes for the stage was found wanting, just a single performance of such a complex play cannot determine the director’s capability.

The director has rightly sensed the intensity and the pace of the play. At least his designing of live chorus on the stage to ensure a lyrical narration of the storyline clearly depicts so.

Seasoned actor Binoy Deka (as Laluksola) led the show. He left no stone unturned to make the character convincing.

The other artistes, Anita Chakraborty, Sarat Sarma, Ghanajit Das, Bhupen Goswami, Deba Goswami and Asim Krishna Barua were quite flawless.

There is every possibility of the entire acting crew acquiring more maturity with a few more performances.

Rong Sarmah