Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Bengali Play 'Meghnad' Explores Astrophysicist Meghnad Saha's Life and Legacy
Imagine a very smart scientist named Meghnad Saha who lived a long time ago in India.
He loved science so much that he helped build a special machine to speed up tiny particles and even translated a famous scientist's papers!
He was so well-known that he became a leader in the government.
Some people wrote a play about his life called 'Meghnad'.
The play tries to show how unfairness, like with the caste system, affected him and his work.
The writer and actors wanted to show that Saha believed science should help everyone, not just a few people.
They also wanted to show that he was a good person who thought deeply about how science could make the world better.
Some people who watched the play thought it didn't include all of his important science ideas, but the people who made the play say they focused on what was most important to tell their story.
The Bengali play 'Meghnad' explores the life of astrophysicist Meghnad Saha, focusing on the impact of caste politics.
Sudipta Bhawmick wrote the play, inspired by research into Saha's life and his role in building India's first cyclotron.
Chandan Sen directed and stars in the play, aiming to portray Saha as a humanist who wanted science to benefit common people.
The play touches on Saha's belief that the separation of 'thinkers' and 'doers' hindered scientific progress in India.
Audience members have offered criticism, suggesting the play omitted certain scientific contributions, while the creators emphasize its purpose-driven narrative.
- Who
- The play 'Meghnad' is about the life and work of astrophysicist Meghnad Saha, written by Sudipta Bhawmick and directed by Chandan Sen.
- What
- A Bengali play that explores the life of astrophysicist Meghnad Saha, focusing on the influence of caste politics on his work and his vision for science's role in society.
- When
- The play was staged in September, October, and November of the current year, with its narrative set in various periods of Saha's life, including 1953-54.
- Where
- The play was staged at the Academy of Fine Arts in Calcutta, with research and inspiration drawn from the life and work of Meghnad Saha in India.
- Why
- The play aims to highlight Meghnad Saha's humanist ideals, his fight against casteism in science, and to promote the idea that science should be accessible to all.
Play's Focus and Purpose
Audience Criticism
Scope of Saha's Contributions
Play's Focus and Purpose
The play focuses on specific events and emphasizes the impact of caste politics on Saha's life and work, aiming to highlight his humanism and promote scientific accessibility for all.
Audience Criticism
Some audience members felt the play omitted significant scientific contributions, such as river planning and the Saha ionization equation, and the planned scientific calendar.
Portrayal of Scientist
Play's Focus and Purpose
The play aims to correct a negative portrayal of scientists like Saha, emphasizing his role as a thinker, humanist, and someone who wanted to use science for the welfare of common people.
Audience Criticism
One inspiration for the play was to counter a negative portrayal of a scientist modeled on Saha in a web series, suggesting an existing perception that needed correction.
- Play Title
- Meghnad
- Theatre Group
- Ashoknagar Natyaanan
- Playwright
- Sudipta Bhawmick
- Director
- Chandan Sen
- Main Actors
- Chandan Sen (older Saha), Rwitobrato Mukherjee (younger Saha)
- Inspiration
- Abha Sur's book 'Dispersed Radiance' and a web series depicting a scientist modeled on Saha.
- Themes
- Caste politics, scientific accessibility, humanism, impact of science on common people.