Ritwik Ghatak: Five Plays

Book Details

• Author: Ritwik Ghatak

• Publisher: Niyogi Books Private Limited

• Edition: First Edition

• Binding: Hardcover

• Number of Pages: 312

• ISBN: 9789386906113

• Languages: English

• Package Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.0 inches

About The Book

Ritwik Ghatak remains one of the most celebrated auteurs in the realm of Partition narratives, with his films, writings, and plays shedding light on the traumatic historical event of the Partition of Bengal. This collection of plays encapsulates Ghatak’s powerful commentary on the socio-political upheaval that followed India’s partition and the refugees’ struggles as they sought to rebuild their lives in a fragmented nation.

The plays in this volume, including Dalil (translated as Charter) and Sanko (translated as Communications), delve deeply into the impact of Partition and the political corruption that ensued in post-Independence India. Ghatak critiques the devastating effects of the migration of refugees from East Bengal, depicting their fractured lives through a combination of folk music, classical Indian theatre, and mythology. The plays reflect both dystopian and utopian elements, capturing the complex emotions of a people caught between the old world and the new.

Drawing from diverse cultural and philosophical sources, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and folk theatre, Ghatak’s writing offers a vivid portrayal of the tragic predicament faced by the countless immigrants of the time. This collection of plays stands as a powerful cultural and historical document, underscoring Ghatak’s unparalleled contribution to literature and theatre, while offering a profound examination of the enduring legacy of Partition.