‘গান দিয়ে দ্বার খোলাবো’ : প্রসঙ্গ ‘অচলায়তন’ ও ‘রক্তকরবী’/ Music to break the stereotype: Roktokorobi and Achalayatan

Abstract

Music is a devine gift to mankind. Music begins where language ends, expressing what the soul feels but words cannot. Rabindranath Tagore believed in the magical power of music. So as a social worker he chose the music and it's emotional resonance to touch the heart of common people. According to his wish music became an integral part of education in shantiniketan. because Rabindranath though that besides artistic value music should also have a great impact on society. From childhood Rabindranath had a connection with contemporary politics because his family are politically active during Swadeshi movement and Bangabhanga movement. The two plays by Rabindranath Tagore, Raktakarabi (Red Oleanders) and Achalayatan, represent a unique blend of author's social consciousness and aesthetics. In these plays Rabindranath shed light on the pros and cons of the social system like power structure of the society, interaction between individual and social structure, autocracy, capitalism etc. In the play Raktakarabi, there is a town named Jakkha puri. This is a capitalist system established and controlled by a aggresive governing authority. Sardars and Morols are the pillar of this power structure. In such system labours are exploited and converted into a number only. They have lost their existence as an individual or human being. They have no time for themselves in a day. So the weekend, when there is actually a holiday, they cannot enjoy because they are turned into a machine. Vishu Nandini and Ranjan has made a revolt against this system. As a result Ranjan died. The whole story is covered by the songs of the play, as author used the songs as an weapon to spread awareness. On the other hand in the play achalayatan, there is three community - Achalayotonik, Syonpanshu and Darbhak. each of the class has their own, distinct ideology which is influenced by the power dynamics, division of labour, way of living, and constitution, of the concerned class or society. These all dimensions are clearly indicated in the songs of the play. So In case of the above-mentioned text, songs/ music plays a crucial role to convey the critical message or idea of author.