Dramatist, writer, actor, composer, anchor Pradeep Biswal has emerged as a brand name in Odisha’s theatre world. Born and brought up amid the sylvan shores and the cashew nut grooves near an adjacent village to the Sun Temple of Konark, he carried contagion from the rural artistic milieu to become what he is today. Founder of Swetapadma Cultural Organisation, he took to writing dramas, directing plays and acting like a bird in the sky. His published works include “Akuha Katha”, “Abyakta Yantrana”, “Bhabar Thakur”, “Apratihata Pratidwandi” and they have been successfully staged throughout the State. His other creations awaiting to be published are “Nukad Club”, “Achinha Raijare Manisha”, “Jeenat” and “Ardha Satya “. He has acted in innumerable dramas in and outside the State. Known for his depth and impartiality, he is invited as a jury to various Natak Mahotsavs. Spandan, a dramatic organisation of in Rourkela has honoured him as a jury. Awards and accolades have been showered upon him. Audiences remember with nostalgia Biswal’s inimitable style of acting. Adding spins to his plots and thrills to his writings, he harbours a fresh aesthetic preference in building a drama and handling the characters that cast a spell on his audience. In an interview to The Pioneer, Biswal spoke to Sugyan Choudhury.
How were you attracted towards theatre?
I believe in the Shakespearian maxim that the world is a stage and we are all actor on it. I was born in remote village near the Sun Temple of Konark. I remembered in my formative years how the rural folk used to dance there. I also witnessed ‘Pala’, ‘Dhudaki’ and ‘Daskathia’ that enthralled me. Later when I grew, they enticed me towards drama.
Could you tell us about your dramatic work of arts?
My published dramatic works have been successfully staged throughout the State in proscenium theatres. My unpublished works, which have been staged mostly at the Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar and many other important places in the State, received well by the audiences and are waiting for publication.
How far has the Odia drama evolved till the recent times?
This is a very difficult question to answer. You may not agree with what I say since one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Theatre lovers may or may not agree with me. During the 1980s, there were no developed technology available. The then writers came out with their writings keeping in their mind our culture, tradition and literature. The unmistakable devotion of stage artists, actors and directors were palpably present during the shows then. With the passage of time, the number of writers, directors, artists have increased manifold. Technologies are now said have revolutionised the theatre world. Now, we can see a flow of copywriters; and most of the directors and writers are resorting to Jatra style in pandals to attract audience for easy success. We have become more professional and less devotional in creating original Odia theatre. Very few writers like Dr Manmath Satapathy, Shankar Tripathy, Prof Samar Mudali hold the original thoughts of Odia drama.
How does Odia drama stand apart from pan-Indian dramas?
Barring the exception of a few dramatists, our theatre writers and directors try to put Odisha art, culture and tradition in their theatrical vision. Outside dramatists adopting developed technology with absolute contemplation on story lining try to impose their thoughts upon the audience. But Odia writers, directors are with the thoughts of the audience balancing the emotion of story lining and live acting.
Why are Odia theatre pandals witnessing a fall in the audience scenario?
Ha. Ha. Ha. Your question makes me laugh and pains me as well. Yes, we all know that such a scenario has come to pass owing to home theatres like TV channels, mobile apps and cinema halls. It is also due to lack of critical acumen and perceptibility due to dearth of creative thinking among our present generation of youths who are attracted by easy success, short time amusement and assailed by fluctuating thoughts. We are still trying our best to woo the audience to our pandals within the ambit of Odishan culture. We are using developed technologies and many talented directors have taken over the stage and we would not be lagging behind our counterparts in other States.
As a writer, actor and a director of Odishan drama, what are your plans to preserve, protect and defend the Odishan theatre against the onslaught of sky invasion?
We may not close our doors and windows against this sky invasion. While witnessing TV serials, dramas, dance and music, we should keep our legs solidly transplanted on the Odishan soil. Anything of alien culture is not superior to everything Odishan or Indian. We should present the best of our culture in appropriate dramatic forms to ennoble and entice our younger generation. Besides, theatre pandals should be established in every block and district headquarters punctuated all the while by lively performances to attract the theatre aficionados.
How do you enjoy acting?
I have acted in over 60 Nataks; and in most, I have played the role of the principal protagonist. I have acted in comedies, tragedies and tragi-comedies as well. I get the best of satisfaction during acting. However, my unforgettable moments are those when I find tears in the eyes of my audience being overwhelmed with sympathy and empathy for my character role. That is the best moment of my life which I always cherish in my heart of hearts.
Being a writer, a director and an actor, what’s your message to the young generation of artists?
A successful artist is he or she who is loyal, committed and remains punctual to his or her acting. One should be meticulous and keep on learning and acting all the while mastering the intricacies of acting. A good artist should not confine himself or herself to his or her role however small it may be but should totally devote him or her with the entire storyline in order to enable him or her to earn the confidence, love and admiration of the audience. Actors should keep in mind that pleasure or satisfaction lies in the quest, not in the conquest.