The opening show of Rabindra Utsav 2014 was like an extravagance for the theatre and music lovers. The Bhopalites witnessed a splendid performance by a dance exponent Reena Sinha as she presented dance-drama Shyama at Antarang Hall, Bharat Bhavan.
Organised by Rabindra Amateur Theatre Group, Bhopal, the four-day multifarious event is all about the dance dramas, plays and music written and composed originally by Rabindranath Tagore. The Tagore Dance Drama festival is being organised to observe the 154th birth anniversary of the great author and composer Rabindranath Tagore.
Shyama is an intense and creative dance-drama composed by Tagore. Shyama is essentially a romantic tragedy, though there are two love stories intertwined.
The drama narrates the story of a court-dancer, Shyama’s love for Bajra Sen, a foreign merchant, who had his hopes high as he sets off on his journey to find his bride. Indramanir Haar was what he had wanted to adorn his lover with. The necklace was from Suborno Dip (island) and was one of the most precious royal valuables. Soon, he is seen being chased by a royal guard. They come across Shyama and her acquaintances. Strikingly beautiful Shyama is pursued by many but her heart is set on Bajra Sen since their chance encounter. The royal guards arrest Bajra Sen and Shyama starts plotting how to rescue the object of her affection and soon comes up with a plan.
On the other hand, another character Uttiyo has been a secret admirer of Shyama for many years but has never expressed his affection for her. Then he hears that she is seeking someone valiant enough to save Bajra Sen from an unjust execution. He tells Shyama that he is prepared to put himself in the place of the one she loves so that she will remember him forever. As a token of her affection, she gives him a ring which the King has given her. This way Uttiyo has sacrificed his feelings for Shyama. Both romantic situations are likely to be painfully familiar to many.
This romantic tragedy was wonderfully depicted by Reena Sinha. Each and every emotion was beautifully depicted by her through the movements of her dance and spell-binding facial expressions. The audience enjoyed the show whole-heartedly.