Tracing the life and career of Binodini Dasi, more known as 'Noti Binodini' a group of teenagers from a city red light area are busy conjuring up a unique collage of her memorable songs, recitations and dance skits which enthralled the audience of the historic Star Theatre during those days.
"Besides exploring the life, times and music of that era of late 19th and early 20th cenutires, we will seek to understand the multi-faceted actor, who overcame great odds and snides and snubs, to become the reigning queen of those times when taking a plunge into theatres by "Bhadragharer Meye" was considered sacrilegious by the holier-than-thou society, a spokesman from organizers 'Sonagachi Komal Gandhar' said.
Fifteen vivacious youngsters, in the age group of 17-20 and hailing from that area and possibly some from the sex workers families, were being mentored by eminent singer Riddhi Bandopadhyay, Anindita Kazi besides a theatre personality like Bijoylakshmi Barman in this collage of song, dance and recitation.
"Binodinir Khonje - The Songstress' is a humble homage to the performers who enthralled the audience in early 19th century. Besides the cult name Binodini - others like Angurbala, Iindubala, Kanan Devi and Ketaki Dutta representing a later era will be referred to in the production hightlighting their struggles, and the stigma and prejudice they had to live with daring to dream different despite being women under feudal patriarchy," Riddhi said.
