Raising the bar

Ganguly,who completed his education in drama and culture before joining the state correctional service,has a theatre group comprising life convicts. He makes the inmates,who have never acted and have no experience in performing arts,act on stage. His plays,particularly Ma Mati Manush and Bisarjan,have earned a huge applaud from all corners.

Ma Mati Manush,in which which Ganguly has cast inmates of Alipore Central jail and women’s jail,had been staged several times. ‘Bisarjan’,a play written by Rabindranath Tagore,is also a huge hit.

As of now,his new team rehearses every day in the workshop room in the correctional home for his new production —‘Thikana Pashim Banga’ (Address- West Bengal).

“Theatre is my passion. I used to work in several commercial teleshows. But now my only dream is to make the inmates enjoy life through theatre. After I complete my duty hours,I start writing scripts for my plays. I am happy that I get a huge support from the inmates for whom I work. They have been rehearsing everyday,after wrapping up their day’s work. All of them are lifers and it has given them a sense of purpose to live,” said Ganguly.

On Maa Mati Manush,Ganguly said,“The play is the story of a group of farmers who revolt against a tyrannical landlord and how he finally relents. The story is written by Bhairab Ganguly,I made some relevant additions,including songs,to make it contemporary. The inmates sing the songs on stage,” said Ganguly. On his upcoming show,he said,“It is about life in Bengal. I will prefer to be silent on the story as it is upcoming.”

The money that Ganguly and his team earn through the plays is donated to the prisoners’ welfare fund. “My remuneration is their smile. If I am able to take them out of their cells,even for some time,that is my ultimate gain.”

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