Dharmmangal Staged at Shaheed Bhavan

A Bengali Folk Epic on Stage

A Bengali folk drama, “Dharmmangal,” was staged at Shaheed Bhavan during the Satdhara Theatre Festival series in Bhopal.

Dharmmangal is an ancient Bengali folk epic based on the lives of the Rahr (Rarh) tribal communities of West Bengal’s Chhotanagpur region. The epic is considered an important part of traditional Bengali literature and dates back many centuries.

The production was conceptualized and directed by Dr. Ujjal Mukherjee (Mukhopadhyay), who presented the story in a dramatic format inspired by the folk traditions associated with the worship of Lord Dharma.

The approximately 120-minute production featured 32 artists, who captivated the audience through its grandeur, scale, and rich cultural presentation.

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Public Participation in Governance

One of the central storylines concerns Lo Sen, who establishes a kingdom based on public participation.

Lo Sen is the son of Ranjit and Karna Sen, whose marriage takes place under divine blessings. However, a rival king, Mahamod, opposes the marriage and becomes a sworn enemy.

Throughout his life, Mahamod attempts to destroy Lo Sen, but ultimately Lo Sen succeeds in building a prosperous kingdom founded on the participation of ordinary people.

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Rich Display of Folk Culture

The production featured:

• A large and elaborate stage set
• Traditional folk art forms of the Rarh region
• Folk music and dance traditions
• Tribal cultural motifs and performance styles

The article notes that the play successfully showcased the beauty, heritage, and traditions of the region.

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Folk Art Forms Featured in the Production

The report specifically mentions several traditional art forms included in the performance:

• Horse Dance
• Dhak Performance (traditional Bengali drum)
• Behruya Dance
• Raibeshe Dance (martial folk dance with vigorous physical movements)
• Lathi Dance (bamboo-stick dance)

along with several other folk performance traditions.