CHARANDAS
Director : Bidisha Chatterjee
Writer : Habib Tanvir
Adaptation : Ramaprashad Banik & Biswarup Chattopadhyay
Group : Dum Dum Biswarupam, Kolkata
Language : Bengali
Duration : 90 mins.
Date : 07 Feb. 2025
Play : CHARANDAS
This production is an adaptation by Shri Ramaprasad Barik of the landmark play, Charandas Chor, written and performed by renowned dramatist, director and actor, Habib Tanvir, who has evolved the story from a Rajasthani folklore.
Charandas is a thief but not a liar who does not deviate from his commitment. Stealing is an action and action is religion. So, even though Charandas did not abandon his work, the vows he made to the Guru follows him till the end of his life. Charandas made four vows to the Guru – ‘he will never eat on a golden plate’, ‘he will never ride in a procession on the back of an elephant’, ‘he will never marry a princess’ and ‘he will never become the king of any country’. King & a thief are almost synonymous as they both loot people in their own ways. But for a thief to become a king is dramatic in its own. But ironically, to Charandas all these offers actually came. But he denied all to keep his vows made to his Guru.
Disobeying royal orders by refusing hospitality, and by spurning the princess’s marriage proposal, Charandas was killed on her orders as she got annoyed due to the rejection. But Charandas never deviated from his vows even if he has to sacrifice his life.