A scene from the play Ratnakar, staged at Rabindra Bhawan. Picture by Eastern Projections

Watching a creative experiment develop into a genuinely innovative, thought-provoking work is indeed a fulfilling experience, and such success is promptly reflected on stage.

Such was the effect of theatre activist Gunakar Dev Goswami’s latest production Ratnakar. The performance by Goswami’s troupe Rangapeeth at Rabindra Bhawan on the second day of the IPTA’s National Theatre Festival was indeed enchanting.

The play is based on the life of Ratnakar, a dacoit, who later came to be widely known as Valmiki, the sage who went on to script the Ramayan. But Goswami’s play Ratnakar does not cover the Valmiki part of the story. It ends at Ratnakar having attained the process of self-purification through years of meditation.

The plawright has not given much emphasis on Ratnakar’s capability of self-introspection and self-realisation. Similarly, Ratnakar’s self-purification effort was projected mainly through Hindutva than through the means of attaining greater essence of humanity and wisdom.

The main significance of the entire production was the presentation. The play was enacted in the style of a folk drama with haunting musical design complemented by spectacular choreography.

Goswami acted out the role of all the six characters, including that of the narrator. But, at no moment did the presentation appear like a monologue, thanks to his innovative use of six actors who brought onthe stage some strong images through splendid body language.

The scene portraying the detachment of the evil spirit from Ratnakar’s mindset during his meditation deserves special mention. Equally superb was the use of light and colour, which helped unfurl the true essence of the play in a powerful manner.

Goswami’s performance was powerful to the core. He was flawless in his acting, body movement, song rendition and physical gestures of the six different characters.

Of the others, Seujpriya displayed an excellent sense of choreography and her cos-tume designing was equally impressive.

Bhabit, Khalin, Binod, Sasanka and Mayuri, helped to pull off a great feat. Ratnakar was indeed a rare treat for theatre lovers.