Sansaptak, a group of theatre, started an artistic movement, ‘Theatre of the Dark’, which is an aesthetic approach towards the supra-reality and the hidden conditions of being. This artistic inquiry started in the year 2016 and has gone through phases of development since. ‘Theatre of the Dark’ is the result of the dramaturgical and artistic inquiries of the group’s Guru and Visionary Torit Mitra. Sansaptak, since its inception in 1992, has been following the path relentlessly through constant experimentations and explorations.
Recently, Sansaptak, presented 'Blackorama', a unique multilingual, multimedia, and multidisciplinary exposition based on ‘Theatre of the Dark’. They did it through a collaboration of visual artists, musicians, and theatre performers. It was an experiment to find an alternative space where different forms of art can be simultaneously expressed and amalgamated. The aim was to create an experience that is both psychologically and philosophically moving. The project, conceptualized by Sreemoyee Dasgupta, is a result of 6 plays written by Torit Mitra.
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The project consisted of four components- Visual Art Exhibition, Theatre Performances, Audio-Visual Books and Publication. The art exhibition curated by Anjon Bose was held in Studio Agon in Chittaranjan Park. The festival was inaugurated by renowned poet and art critic Prayag Shukla and Author Vikram Chopra last week. The exhibition holds displays of artworks, prints, photography of artists Torit Mitra, Anjon Bose, Rahul Chaudhary, Anjali Bawase, Rana Mitra, Ayan Banerjee, Saranendu Chaki, Sreemoyee Dasgupta, Tathagat Chaki, Ruma Bose and collages by member artists done through workshop ‘Avista’.
The reading theatre performances, included as a part of the exhibition, showcases 6 multilingual plays written by Torit Mitra, namely ‘Pret O Manush’ acted by Rana Mitra and Saranendu Chaki, ‘Pralobhan Aur Prarthna’ acted by Paroma Bhattacharya and Sreemoyee Dasgupta, ‘Sraddho Accha O Ullash’ acted by Kaushiki Deb and Aparna Banerjee, ‘Lonely Bhavuk Aur Drunkard’ acted by Sachin Bisht and Subir Maity, ‘Nobhoshchor O Barangona’ acted by Ayan Banerjee and Ruma Bose and ‘Young Man & his Companion’ acted by Anjon Bose and Anindita Sett. The festival culminated in the presence of Renown artist Anandomoy Banerjee and also saw an interesting play ‘Oloukik Obobaash’ or the Surrealist Exposition, written by Sh. Torit Mitra and performed by him along with Veteran actors Dipankar Khan and Ruma Bose. Important members of the group like Anirban Roy Chaudhury, Aritra Banerjee, Aman Srivastava proved to be the backbone of the festival.
