Synopsis

‘Raktakarabi’ portrays the dehumanizing impact of human greed, which robs life of its inherent beauty and naturalness, reducing it to a mere cog in the machinery of production. The king isolates himself behind an impenetrable barrier, shutting out humanity and the people are forced to toil in mines, subjected to cruelty and death at the slightest pretext. Nandini, the female protagonist portrays unbridled and untarnished nature, akin to a flowing river. She boldly confronts the king, criticizing his enclosure and his detachment from the world. Nandini symbolizes freedom, adorning herself with jewels crafted from Red Oleander (Raktakarabi) as an homage to her beloved, Ranjan. In his interpretation of Rabindranath Tagore’s play, Kaushik Chattopadhyay sheds new light on the narrative, offering fresh perspectives and insights. Chattopadhyay brings forth a contemporary lens to examine the themes and messages. Through his unique vision, he unravels hidden layers exploring the complexities of human relationships, societal structures, and the pursuit of freedom.