Based on Manoj Mitra’s Sajano Bagan, the play Abar Bancha tells a deeply human story of resilience and greed, set against the backdrop of an age-old conflict between the powerless and the powerful. At the center is Bancha, an old, frail man battling illness, whose only treasure is his ancestral garden. His grandson Gupey, however, dreams of selling the garden to build a distillery. Adding to the turmoil are the cunning landlord Nawkori, his family, and the ghost of his father, Chakori, who stop at nothing to seize the garden through trickery and manipulation. When Gupey returns home with his wife Padma, he learns of the devastating deal Bancha has signed: the landlord will care for him for 2,000 a month, but once he dies, the lush garden will belong to them. As Padma’s fierce protests grow louder, Bancha begins to find his strength again, even as Nawkori succumbs to the weight of his own greed, suffering a fatal stroke. In a moment of desperation, Nawkori hands Bancha a vial of poison, forcing him to make an impossible choice. The play builds to a heart-stopping climax, asking whether the oppressed will surrender or rise to reclaim their dignity.

Director's Note

Theatre has always been a journey of exploration—a chance to craft worlds that reflect life’s complexities. My latest production feels like stepping into an uncharted realm, one I hadn’t imagined. It owes its existence to Narayan Goswami, MLA of Ashoknagar and District Council President of North 24 Parganas, whose passion for theatre and desire to embody Banchharam inspired this endeavor.

Rooted in Manoj Mitra’s timeless text, the play preserves its raw authenticity. My directorial touches were subtle yet deliberate: replacing the great-grandson in Banchha’s arms with a pawn in the final scene and incorporating royal motifs into the landlord’s mansion to highlight the feudal undertones. Beyond that, Mitra’s script guided the production. Performances are the soul of this work. Narayan Goswami’s portrayal of Banchharam amazed me with its depth and authenticity. Every actor brought honesty and artistry, elevating the narrative with their dedication. This production reflects the power of collaboration and the magic of theatre. I hope it moves you as much as it did us.

Crew

Playwright: Manoj Mitra
Light Design: Arun Kumar Kalsha
Sound Design: Snehasish De
Stage Manager: Sukanta Pal
Makeup: Bidhatri Deb Sarkar
Overall Management: Gautam Basu
Overall Organization: Arup Goswami & Sangita Chakraborty
Editing, Light, Sound, Stage, Costume, and Direction: Avi Chakraborty

Cast

Bancharam: Narayan Goswami
Chhkori: Abhi Chakraborty
Nowkori: Arup Goswami
Moktar:Asim Das / Raja Guha
Gupey: Gautam Basu
Chor: Sukanta Pal
Gontokar: Anjan Hore / Debaditya Sarkar
Hotka & Kontka: Shubhojit Biswas
Gobinda Daktar: Richik Bagchi
Purohit: Supriyo Bhowmik / Richik Bagchi
Assistant Purohit: Abhijit Banik
Gontokar Assistant: Papiya Bhowmik
Ginnima: Shreya Sarkar
Padma: Sangita Chakraborty / Suparna Chakraborty