Artistes of Satabdira Kalakar stage Tash Ra Desha as part of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 28: Rabindranath Tagore was paid homage here through a three-day theatre festival, Remembering the Biswa Kabi.

Held at Rabindra Mandap, the festival was organised by theatre group Satabdira Kalakar as part of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations.

The necessity of freedom for people of all classes in the society was depicted in the opening drama, Tash Ra Desha, on Thursday at the theatre festival.

The artistes of Satabdira Kalakar presented the adapted version of Tagore’s Tasher desh. It was translated for the show by Monidipa Mallick, who was also seen playing the mother of Aditya.

The set design suited the abstract form of the plot with life size playing cards seen moving on the stage.

The play was directed by Alok Agnibesh and the artistes gave a good performance, transforming from loud dialogues to dramatic expressions as the serious mood of the play demanded.

“We have seen the play quite a number of times by different theatre groups in the city. Most of them were performed brilliantly. Today’s performance was different and interesting in a unique way. I really loved the stage design and the acting of the lead actor,” said Kavita Padhi, a member in the audience.

Tagore’s novel Gora, which stands relevant even today, was dramatised by Ramakant Banerjee on the second day of the festival.

The story of a young Hindu fundamentalist who despises people from lower castes but later adopts human values and turns a revolutionary, was presented by the artistes under the direction of Satabdira Kalakar general secretary Dhira Mallick.

A musical programme on Gitanjali was the highlight of the concluding day.

Conducted by music composer Manmath Mishra and his group, the renditions won the hearts of the city audience.

“The essence of Gitanjali is so deep that it lets one reflect on life. The musical presented today was enchanting,” said Dilip Rath, a viewer.

An art show has also been exhibited in the premises of Rabindra Mandap as part of the festival.

Culture minister Prafulla Samal had inaugurated the festival when he requested the organisers to host programmes to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of legendary Odia poet Gangadhar Meher.

Culture secretary Ashok Tripathy informed that more auditoriums dedicated to Tagore will come up in Cuttack, Puri and other cities of the state.