Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Suman Sengupta's 'Baghnakh' Explores Violence and Power Dynamics
Imagine a play about a family living in a city who are constantly bothered by a scary neighbor.
This neighbor acts like he's married to the teenage daughter, and other bad people encourage him.
A local politician and a cop are also involved, showing how powerful people can make things worse.
The play uses black and white colors and spooky images to make you feel uneasy.
Even though it's serious, the play shows how the girl tries to cope by talking to a pretend friend on the phone.
The actors do a great job showing how difficult and scary this situation is, making the audience think about why people do bad things.
Suman Sengupta directs Shilpi Sangha's production of 'Baghnakh', a play based on a 1997 story by Jayanta Dey.
The play delves into complex themes of potential violence within individuals, the fostering of violent ecosystems, and paradoxical emotional attachments.
The narrative centers on a middle-class family harassed by a neighborhood 'madman' fixated on the teenage daughter, supported by local roughs and a corrupt politician.
A friendly cop and a tea stall owner are also characters within the intricate power dynamics presented.
The production features a multi-layered set with a black and white color scheme and spectral images, and has been praised for its realistic framing and strong ensemble cast performances.
- Who
- Suman Sengupta, Shilpi Sangha, and an ensemble cast including Twisha Chakraborty, Kamal Chatterjee, Nandini Bhowmik, Tanmoy Patra, Niloy Bhattacharya, Atanu Chakraborty, Swapnojoy Ganguly, Soumitra Basu, Suman Paul, and Shankar Ghosh.
- What
- A production of the play 'Baghnakh', which explores themes of violence, psychological ramifications, and complex power dynamics.
- When
- The latest version was staged on October 15.
- Where
- Tapan Theatre (Howrah-based Shilpi Sangha)
- Why
- To explore disturbing issues such as potential inner violence, its diffusion, ecosystems fostering violence, and emotional attachments to perceived menaces.
- Playwright/Director
- Suman Sengupta
- Production
- Shilpi Sangha
- Based on story by
- Jayanta Dey (1997)
- Previous Staging
- 2010 (Dwitiya Sattwa banner)
- Latest Performance Date
- October 15
- Venue
- Tapan Theatre
- Running Time
- Over 140 minutes