BENGALURU : A Bengali adaptation of the Russian classic, The Government Inspector, originally written by Nikolai Gogol, will be staged by a group of working professionals. The play will be presented today, by one of the three troupes in the city that stages Bengali plays, Fisrt Wing Production, formed just six months ago. Called Borobabu Aschen, the play has been directed by Nilanjan P Choudhury, an IT professional and Dr Tanumay Datta. Nilanjan says, “The troupe was formed only recently, around six months ago and it comprises of around 25 people who all pursue their seperate careers as techies and corporates. It is a way to pursue a passion that we always felt for. It is a group of weekend warriors.
While it includes mostly Bengalis, there are many Kannadigas as well as people from other states who are settled or are working here.”This is the group’s first play. When asked why they chose Gogol’s play as their first, Nilanjan says, “We wanted to start with something that is accessible and known. The original play is around 200-years-old but it’s commentary on the present day is valuable. It is a play about
corruption, and the relevance of the theme has not changed even after 200 years.”
Further he says, in Bengaluru, there is a large Bengali population, first-generation Bengalis like his daughter who is born and brought up here. “Such first-generation Bengalis are much like the locals, which is a good thing. At the same time, they manage to maintain their Bengali identity.” In the Bengali adaption, the play is set in a small town somewhere in modern India, where there exists the usual nexus of corrupt politicians and inept government officials. Their cozy world is shattered when a letter arrives from New Delhi warning them of the secret visit of a central government inspector from the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
A suave con-man arrives in the town at the same time. The local officials mistake him for the dreaded government inspector and are thrown into panic. Amidst their ridiculous attempts to divert his attention from their maladministration, a hilarious comedy of errors ensues.
Venue: Alliance Francaise, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore on July 21, 4.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought from bookmyshow.com