The goal of the Kolahal Theatre Workshop is to create therapy-based programs for societally marginalized groups. Their past projects have included working with the LGBTQ community, drug addicts, women who work as sex workers in Kolkata, and children and young people with autism and intellectual disabilities.

The eighth production of Kolahal Theatre Workshop, Shilar Jinnat, was being released as a book. The drama Shilar Jinnat was performed before the book launch, and Urukku Manush, the eighth performance of Kolahal Theatre Workshop, was a short play that came after. Kolahal’s rehabilitation program, Urukku Manush, served children and young people with autism and intellectual disabilities. Four children with autism have taken part in the play.

In the presence of numerous well-known authors and dignitaries, the major event of the evening was the publication of the book Shilar Jinnat by the distinguished poet, editor, translator, and Associate Professor of English, Subodh Sarkar. Darabar Jayega is the name of the publishing house.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which translates to “the world is one family” in Sanskrit, is the central idea of Shilar Jinnat.

Ismail, a dedicated clay artist, is the main character in the drama Shilar-Jinnat.

His art is reverence in his eyes. His older sister Asma and his niece Muskan make up his little family. Ismail’s life completely collapses the year before the Pujas when he finds that he cannot give any of the clay idols any shape.

Distressed Ismail begins having unusual visions that take him to an unfamiliar place because he is torn between his responsibility to support the family and his passion. However, is that world truly uncharted territory, or does it have a strong link to his past? And in all of this, what part does Sugandha play?

Shilar Jinnat takes us on a trip through time.

The play Shilar Jinnat is directed by Nigel Akkara and Urukku Manush is directed by Tanmay Ghosh.

Priyanka Dutta