Bhubaneswar, May 3: The Bengali classic Bancharamer Bagan, adapted into a play in Odia, was staged at the Bhanja Kala Mandap yesterday. The play left a lasting impression on the audience for the simplicity of its narration and presentation.

Staged by the city-based theatre group Shatabdira Kalakar, the play Banchhara Bagicha was a satirical comedy about a farmer Bancharam who takes up an ethical fight with the village zamindar to retain ownership of his land.

In the 80s, thespian Manoj Mitra's popular play Bancharamer Bagan was made into a film by Tapan Sinha.

Interestingly, this was the 75th show of the play. "We have been staging this popular play since 1984 and we never got bored. Every time we stage this play, we receive a lot of appreciation from the audience," said Dhira Mallick, the founder of the theatre group.

Mallick has translated the play into Odia and has also played the role of the zamindar. The play was directed by Darpa Narayan Sethi, a senior member of the group.

The role of the protagonist, Banchha, was essayed by 80-year-old theatre artiste Brundaban Barik. "He has been playing the role Banchha since our first show. What astonishes us is the fact that he has not changed a bit since then and his enthusiasm for playing the character is tremendous," said Mallick. Use of folk elements such as matka to create music for the play also stood out.

Theatre activist Subosh Patnaik, who went to watch the play, said: "I had seen the first show of the play when I was a drama student. The excitement to watch the play is still the same. The best part of the play is how beautifully it makes the audience have an emotional connect with the old man, while enjoying the comic dialogues."

The group has also adapted Manoj Mitra's popular plays such as Chakh Bhanga Madhu and Samparka into Odia.

The play was staged as part of the state culture department's monthly theatre festival Natyadhara.

The three-day fest concluded today with the staging of the play Prema by theatre group Samrat Sie Kalara Pujari.