A unique theatrical event is set to grace Kolkata this May, presenting a love story that finds its meaning not in union but in separation. The Farewell Letter, a dramatised English reading of Rabindranath Tagore's Sesher Kobita, will be staged on 2 May at Gyan Manch. Produced by Two Dots Entertainment and SPC Kraft, the production is conceived and staged by Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee.
Reimagining Tagore for Contemporary Audiences
Moving beyond conventional theatrical formats, this presentation uses voice, performance, and character interplay to reinterpret one of Tagore's most introspective works. At its core, Sesher Kobita questions traditional constructs of love and marriage. Set within an intellectual, self-aware milieu, it explores a relationship that consciously chooses distance over domestication and individuality over convention—a theme that continues to resonate with modern audiences.
Direction and Adaptation
This English adaptation, inspired by the translation of Radha Chakravarty, has been directed by theatre veteran Sohag Sen. Known for her nuanced and globally recognised work, Sen retains the philosophical depth of the original text while shaping it into a more immediate, performative experience for today's audience. The ensemble cast includes Shubhayan Sengupta, Solanki Roy, Anusha Viswanathan, and Sohag Sen, with Debopriyo Mukherjee in a special appearance.
Narrative and Musical Elements
The narrative will be guided by storytellers Poulomi Bose and Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, while violinist Sandipan Ganguly will add a live musical layer to the reading. Light and stage design are by Kaushik Bose. By presenting the work in English, the production seeks to broaden its reach, allowing Tagore's layered storytelling to connect with non-Bengali audiences as well as the diaspora.
Bringing together literature, performance, and music, The Farewell Letter revisits Sesher Kobita not simply as a love story but as a meditation on choice, individuality, and the quiet dignity of letting go.
