Kolkata, Nov 12 (PTI) Bengali theatre personality Manoj Mitra, who died on Tuesday at the age of 86 in Kolkata, was known mainly for writing and directing farces and fantasies to highlight social and political issues. His plays also underscored the struggle of the oppressed common man. A legendary actor, he immortalised the character of Banchharam in Tapan Sinha's 1980 film 'Banchharamer Bagan' (The Garden of Banchharam).
This dark comedy on the oppression of the peasants by the zamindars was adapted from a play by Mitra. Mitra had around 100 one-act and full-length plays to his credit besides film scripts. His major full-length plays include 'Narak Guljar' (The Great Hell), 'Aswathama', 'Chakbhanga Madhu' (Honey from Broken Hive), 'Mesh O Rakhash' (The Lamb and the Monster), 'Galpo Hekim Saheb' (Tale of a Hekim), 'Rajdarshan' (Visiting the King), 'Alokanandar Putra Kanya' (Alokananda's Son and Daughter), 'Sajano Bagan' (Decorated Garden), 'Chhayar Prashad' (The Palace of Shadows) and 'Jene Shune Bish' (Poison, Knowingly).
Partition of the country, Naxalite movement of Bengal, tyranny of the ruling class, religious fundamentalism and other major issues were highlighted in Mitra's plays. Among his key one-act plays are 'Mrityur Chokhe Jal' (Tears in the Eyes of Death), 'Chokhe Angul Dada' (The Fault Finder), 'Ami Madan Bolchhi' (Hello I am Madan), 'Takshak' and others. According to academician and translator Mousumi Roy Chowdhury, in Mitra’s plays, conscience has a major rol.
