10 months ago
Tagore's 'Ghare Baire' Explores Nationalism and Women's Perspectives Through Dastangoi
Imagine a story from a long time ago, written by Rabindranath Tagore, called 'Ghare Baire'.
It's about a man who used to think very strongly about his country, but later started seeing some problems with that idea.
The story also looks at how women feel and what they think.
Two storytellers, Mahmood Farooqui and Rajesh Kumar, are performing this story using an old way of telling tales called dastangoi, which is like a dramatic monologue.
They are performing it in Pune.
The story talks about big ideas like being proud of your country, differences between people, and how men can sometimes be too aggressive.
It makes you think about who is responsible when people get very angry about ideas.
The storytellers adapted the book for a live show, even adding old folk songs to help people understand.
A dastangoi performance of Rabindranath Tagore's novel 'Ghare Baire' is being staged in Pune.
The performance, titled 'Dastan–e-Ghare Baire', explores Tagore's evolving views on nationalism and the complexities of the swadeshi movement.
It highlights issues such as the Hindu-Muslim divide, radicalism, and a progressive portrayal of a woman's perspective amidst toxic masculinity.
The show is performed by Mahmood Farooqui and Rajesh Kumar, reviving an old Urdu storytelling tradition that gained popularity in the 2000s.
The performance aims to provoke thought on the consequences of inflammatory speeches, a theme relevant from Tagore's time to the present.
- Who
- Mahmood Farooqui and Rajesh Kumar (performers), Rabindranath Tagore (author)
- What
- A dastangoi performance of Rabindranath Tagore's novel 'Ghare Baire', titled 'Dastan–e-Ghare Baire'
- Where
- Shreeram Lagoo Rang Avakash, Pune
- When
- November 23
- Why
- To mark Rabindranath Tagore's 150th birth anniversary and to explore relevant contemporary issues through his work.
Nikhil's Perspective
Sandeep's Perspective
Nationalism and Swadeshi
Nikhil's Perspective
Unhappy about imposing swadeshi on poor peasants, believes in inclusivity of Muslims.
Sandeep's Perspective
Advocates for a boycott on foreign goods and makes impassioned speeches about the nation.
Role of Women
Nikhil's Perspective
Represents a more traditional or complex view, questioning the impact of radical rhetoric.
Sandeep's Perspective
Sees women, like Bimala, as inspiration for his movement, potentially exploiting her.
Key facts
- Story
- Ghare Baire by Rabindranath Tagore
- Art Form
- Dastangoi
- Performers
- Mahmood Farooqui, Rajesh Kumar
- Director
- Mahmood Farooqui
- Venue
- Shreeram Lagoo Rang Avakash, Pune
- Date
- November 23
- Themes
- Nationalism, Hindu-Muslim divide, women's perspective, toxic masculinity, radicalism
Quotes
Mahmood Farooqui
Co-creator of Dastan–e-Ghare Baire and director of the play.
“The novel works as a dastan because there are two performers and three characters who have soliloquies as well as dialogues in the book. I reworked the language, bringing in additional elements, such as folk songs of 1857, to put the story in context for the present-day reader. We have converted the text into a kind of Urdu using a Hindi translation and an English rendering of the novel, because I don’t know Bangla.”
indianexpress.com
“Ghare Baire, set in the aftermath of the Partition of Bengal, deals with issues that are still relevant and burning in this country. Nikhil, the main protagonist, can be considered as a mouthpiece for Tagore, while Sandeep, his firebrand friend, makes impassioned speeches about the nation.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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