ABASARA

THE DIRECTOR…..

Sri Haren Sahoo, Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee in year 2018 for theatre direction was born on dated 01.01.1962 in the village Mahang, Niali of Cuttack District in Odisha. Mr. Sahoo is not only a great director of theatre but also a successful actor and organizer in the field of theatre in Odisha. Under his leadership he has established a theatre team named as “Panchamaveda” since 2002. Every year Panchamaveda Theatre team celebrates regional theatre festival and “Panchamaveda Samman function” in month of March and Annual Function with “Sanskruti Mitra Samman Award” in the month of October. In the beginning of Theatre journey Mr. Sahoo has been awarded as best actor during the year 1987 from OSNA. He has been awarded as a great organizer and theatre director from all reputed theatre organizations of Odisha. Presently he is the President of ‘Odisha Natya Sangha’, an association of more than 150 theatre teams of Odisha.

THE GROUP…..

Panchamaveda, the leading cultural organization in Bhubaneswar established during 2002 under the Societies Act 1860 is continuing its relentless efforts to rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the state. In the beginning the organization was headed by the prominent film Producer and Director late Amiya Pattnaik as President till 2019. Now Sri Haren Sahoo is the President and Prakash Maharana is the Seretary of Panchamaveda, Bhubaneswar Theatre Team.

The Hallmarks of the organization includes organizing the State Level Natak Mahotsav every year at Rabindra Mandap followed by Panchamaveda Award to five eminent threatre personalities of the state. Likewise every year in October the organization celebrates its Annual Function in which nine eminent personalities of the state are awarded Sanskruti Mitra Sammanna.

Besides this, the unique productions of the Panchamaveda like: Full Tension, Bhakta Karmabai, Putra Puja Manish Hata, Abasara, Cabin and Swetapadma Sagar Sangam & Ghatak etc. Those plays have been highly appreciated by the public inter and intra-state in more than 150 stage show.

THE PLAY…..

The Play ‘ABASARA’ tells the story of a retired Employee Biswanath Babu. Soon after his retirement Biswanath Babu was in search of peace and happiness in his family consisting of three sons, one daughter-in-law, a grandson, Wife- Bina and a faithfully servant Braja.

Just before his retirement two old age home staffs requested Biswanath to lead a life in peace and tranquility with them in old age homke. But he out rightly refuse the proposal executing his status of his family in the society.

But his post retirement time took a different turn. Three sons demanded their share from his retirement benefits and pension. But Biswanath Babu distributed the amount among four persons including his faithful servant Braja.

Gradually the sons and the family members tortured Biswanath. They even entrusted most of the household works on him by dismissing the servant from job. Eventually a close friend of Biswanath, Mr. Barendra who was residing in the old age home advised Biswanath to come out from his family burden and to stay at the old age home. But Biswanath out rightly refuse the proposal. Mounting torture in the family made Biswanath totally upset. He dreamed up to lead a happy life like his close friend in the old age home. But his entire dream vanished as he joins the eternal god surrendering his life with the family burden.

DIRECTOR’SNOTE…..

The soul of the play ‘ABASARA’ is existing in our society in different forms and where aged parents are abandoned and left for endless suffering by their well placed children. The script of Abasara first handed over to me by playwright Hara Barik in the year 2004. I fully impressed on the script as I always feel the sorrow of the Senior Citizens of our present day society. The first show of the play instantly become a successful play among the theatre audience. Thereafter DDK, Bhubaneswar has recorded the play and telecaste it more than 70 times. Though the play has covered a length of 19 years of travelling with 22 stage shows, yet its essence is relevant today. The story tells us that selfishness and ego has destroyed the moral and good behaviors of human beings and truly parents are no more respected in every family.