Jan. 23, 2026 was Saraswati Puja Day. We, the Bengalis of Ganga Vertica Apartments, celebrated it with much fervour and warmth.
As a part of the evening cultural programme, we did a skit -- Sukumar Roy's Abaak Jalpaan (অবাক জলপান). This was a very famous Bengali skit by Sukumar Roy, meant for children. The skit was a funny one and the audience was very much in splits. And there I got to do something I never thought I was capable of: I acted!
When I was a little kid, I used to love watching plays enacted by Uncles and Aunts of the neighbourhood. Historical, mythological, political, comic and satire, even science fiction. Even at that age, the acting, the dialogue delivery, creating an atmosphere with minimal props — everything fascinated me. But never in my wildest dream did I ever think that I would ever get on stage. This was one art form I never flirted with.
When my friends suggested that I participate in this play, a part of me was terrified! How was I even in the list of possible actors?! I had no experience in acting, and consciously at least had never wanted to do it. Yet a part of me jumped with excitement! Would I too get to act? Make exaggerated body gestures? Say things with unrealistic intonations? Get to wear a fake wart on my face (as would invariably be a part of the makeup of at least one of the actors in those plays I remembered from my childhood)? I truly experienced 'Joyfear'!
This was a first time for me in several fronts: acting, acting in a Bengali play and memorising and delivering reasonably long dialogues. I have always thought myself incapable of memorisation — a trick I hardly ever used even when I critically needed it — as a student. I was so happy I could memorise my dialogues and could deliver it with acceptable reproduction. Also, as my upbringing has been outside Bengal, I am always a bit conscious about my Bengali diction. I am so happy I could gather so much courage. And I am elated by the fact that I could try a new thing at my age. I didn't get to wear the fake wart on my face, but I did all the other things. Learning need never end all life, nor does it need be driven by any aspiration of worldly greatness.
I wish Ma Saraswati keeps blessing me with the courage and enthusiasm to jump into things I am not an expert in and keep learning, growing and living life with a learner's spirit. I also thank my very talented friends -- Mr. Somnath Chatterjee for coming up with the idea and directing the rehearsals, Arijit Banerjee for carrying through the main role with such panache, and Sabyasachi Ruj and Koushik Saha for joining in and contributing with their unique style fuel to the laughter machine.
No comments:
Post a Comment