21.03.2024 (Thursday)
NISHANGA NAYAKA
CANMASS, Odisha
Sriman N. Mishra
Odia
145 minutes
THE DIRECTOR…..
Sriman N. Mishra is an Actor, Theatre Director, Playwright and Poet. He has been working for the cause of Theatre for more than 20 years. His contribution to Odia theatre as an actor, director playwright and organizer led dimensions in respective directions. He has started working as a director since long as an armature practitioner and off let taken up direction in professional approach and this adventure has no end. For the last 20 years, he has been organizing a National Theatre festival popularly known as” Canfest” at Paradip, the only port city of Odisha, in which the theatre repertories of various parts of India as well as from the state have been participating. “Gandhi Bhumikare” (In the role of Gandhi), “Se Marigale” (He passed Away), “Chandrama Ra Chudi” (The bangles of Chandrama), “Andhara Ra Suryamukhi” (The sunflower at Night), “Mangala Mahuri Ra Tana”, “Gandhi nka Odisha etc. are a bunch of plays directed by him. As a theatre critic and poet he has contributed articles to many magazines and periodicals.
THE GROUP…..
“CANMASS” is one of the leading cultural organizations in the state of Odisha, promoting Theatre, literature & Folk art for more than two decades. ‘‘Canmass’’ has been organizing a National Theatre Festival at Paradip, the only port city of the state, since last Twenty years (i.e., from 2004) inviting many eminent troupes from different parts of Country as well as from the state. This festival is popularly named as ‘‘CANFEST’’ Since inception the organization has been involved in various Theatre and Literary activities like literary discussions, State level poetry reading session, Discussion of theatre arts, production of stage plays, Theatre Workshop for students and Children Theatre Festival. Canmass is also imparting a Short-Term Certificate Course on ‘‘Acting, News casting and Anchoring’’ under ‘‘Canmass School of Performing Arts (CASPA) for the young talents who are aspirant to build up a career in Theatre and Media. ‘‘Canmass’’ as a theatre group has been participated in various National and State level Theatre festivals. Few of them are Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Adirang Mahotsav Organized by National School of Drama, ‘Minerva National Theatre Festival, Kolkata, ‘‘Bahuroopi’’ National Theatre Festival by ‘‘Rangayan’’, Mysore and “Rang Sangam” a state level Theatre Festival organized by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.
THE PLAY…..
Kabi Chandra Kalicharan Pattnaik (Born on 1898) is a one of the legendary cultural personalities and thespian of Odisha of early 19 century, who contributed immensely for the growth and development of the Odissi dance, Odissi music, poetry in general and particularly for the Odia theatre. He had significant contributions to development early Odia cinema as well. This play is an outline of the life sketch of Kabichandra Kalicharan along with his ideals and contributions. Despite being scarred by the blows of his life, he is a brave captain who has fought alone till the end. His contribution to building the professional theater of Odisha is indescribable. By forming “Odisha Theatres”, he tried to bring the artists under his direction, but eventually the artists left him. He found himself alone in all spheres. This is the image of his solitude. It is certain that the play “Nishanga Nayak” will be a source of inspiration for the upcoming generation making career in the field of art and literature as well as a compilation of events of such colossal personality.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE…..
This Play is being assigned to me initially by Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy as an ongoing project to dramatize and stage the life sketch of legendary figures of Odisha those who have contributed immensely for culture, politics, social value, literature etc. The life sketch of Kabichandra Kalicharan was always fascinated to me since my early days of theatre and fortunately I was assigned by the academy to deal the subject. The life time works of Kalicharan Pattnaik is so vast and widely spread over a span of more than five decade, which is certainly challenging and cumbersome to stage within a short span of theatrical performance. However, the eminent playwright Dr. Saileswar Nanda took over the challenge and we both had discussed while finalizing the stage script. I have tried all my efforts to intact the periodic music, costume and primitive form of RASA, which was earned name and popularity to him among the people of Odisha. The King Gajapati Ramachandra Dev had bestowed upon the highest felicitation and conferred him the tile “Kabichandra”. The performance, where of all indigenous style of creativity is being relied and staged in terms of theatre, music and poetic works with involvement of 34 artists. This will give an essence of traditional with blending of modern treatment. I hope my efforts will touch the audience..
Cast…..
Credits…..
