Amio goyenda: “Arka’r Goyendagiri”

Everyone who knows me knows that my primary reading (and these days listening to various YouTubers who fill the gap of Boju reading out to me) revolves around adolescent Bengali goyendas - Feluda, Deep Kaku, Mitin Mashi and Arjun. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to see a goyenda kahini featuring my namesake - Arka. The story is called “Arka’r Goyendagiri” by Manjil Sen. Coincidences don’t stop at having a namesake protagonist... the story kicks off near Deshapriya Park (that's c.2 mins from my childhood home in Lake Market). Now back to vacuuming and listening. 

Click on the photo to read the story or listen to it here.

Feluda in the act

I knew that Feluda has been brought to life across a range of media (Films, TV, Radio, Web Series, Cartoons shows, Comic books) but didn’t know till recently that there was a stage adaptation as well. Interestingly, the story adapted was the one relates to theatres - Apsara Theatre-er Mamla - quite apt, isn’t it? Feluda steps in when an actor of Apsara theatre group goes missing. As the group scrambles to put together a new production, the lead actor is found murdered.

Feluda in different media: koto kando Feluda ke niye!

Charbak’s stage adaptation of the Satyajit Ray story is a one-hour-50-minute play, directed by Sabyasachi. The play starred Sabyasachi as Feluda and his son Gaurav as Topshe. Subir Roy Chowdhury played Jatayu. It was released in Jan 2008, around the same time as Kailashe Kelenkari. The script was written by actor Arindam Ganguly. 

Here’s how the stage adaptation came about in Sabyasachi’s own words:

• What motivated you to take Feluda to the stage?

The executive committee of Charbak suggested we do a Feluda story. We decided on Apsara Theatre-er Mamla. Since Feluda stories are largely travelogue thrillers, it’s difficult to adapt them. But the plot of Apsara is suitable for stage adaptations. Also, Babuda (Sandip Ray) assured us that he had no intention of adapting it on screen.

• What is the plot all about?

It’s about a theatre group that is gearing up to stage a play called Chhannochhara. The team has several junior artistes, including actresses. But all of a sudden, one of the junior artistes disappears and a senior actor is murdered. Two actresses are suspected. Then, Feluda steps in. It is easy to adapt this story for the stage because Feluda solves the mystery sitting at home, nursing an injury. The play is in whodunnit format. There are several suggestive scenes — murder on the street, driving a car and a lakeside.

• What was Sandip Ray’s reaction to the staging of Feluda?

We took his permission. Actor Arindam Ganguly has written the script; we showed the synopsis to Babuda. He told us to retain the Feluda flavour and not distort the script. We haven’t taken too many liberties; we have added a song-and-dance sequence and a few female characters.

I was wondering if it is still being staged as I would love to watch it. But it looks like that will sadly not happen. In 2012, Feluda was in the mood to hang up his stage chappals - after ‘retiring’ from Sandip Ray’s screen series. “We’ve had 50-plus shows and I am not too keen on staging it anymore as I am ageing and I have a belly! Nobody wants to see an old Feluda,” said Sabyasachi. I do hope if they have it recorded on video - they can consider an online release later then.

But there is hope still. Given Sabyasachi came back as Feluda on the silver screen for Double Feluda in 2017, so maybe there is a chance he will reprise the role again onstage. A decade after Apsara Theate-er Mamla debuted on stage, the father-son duo shared screen space in a Feluda movie. Sabyasachi returned to reprise the role of Feluda in Double Feluda - the tribute movie celebrating 50 years of the mogojastro wielding goyenda. The movie featured 2 stories on either side of the interval - Samaddarer Chabi and Golokdham Rahasya. In Golokdham Rahasya, Gaurav plays the assistant to an elderly scientist with poor eyesight.

Be kind

 

Another harsh reminder for us to be kind to everyone. We never know what a person is going through, what they are struggling with... and it's not so hard to be nice.

Depression is a disease. It can happen to anyone - it doesn’t discriminate. Trust me, I know.  

Don’t judge. Don’t rationalise and ask why should he / she feel depressed? They are not choosing to be unkind to themselves because they are enjoying it. Support if you can. Talk to your family and friends. Be there for them and reach out.

The negativity around us on social media and press doesn’t help. Our hyper connected world of notifications only pushes you over the edge. Trolls were once only in fantasy tales... today they are real - on social media, workplaces and playgrounds. Sadly, it has become a way of life for many. Mutated evolution of old fashioned bullying. Don’t let them get to you. Disconnect. 

Mental well-being  is not a “western concept” or “a problem of the wealthy”. Suicide is not for the weak. You are not being strong by bottling it inside you. Seek help. Speak to someone. 

Mental health is as important as physical fitness. Break the taboo. Be gentle. Be kind. Talk about it. Talk to someone who needs you. Look after yourself and each other. Take care. 

😔😢

Orko’s recipe: Arka’s Special Pan Grilled Chicken Kebabs

I am not a very good cook (I am a good eater, though - ha!) but over the past few months, I have found my niche with a chicken kebab dish. I started out trying to replicate Tandoori Chicken at home but with a few trials and errors (mostly the latter) I have developed this amazing recipe of my very own pan grilled chicken kebab.

Here’s how I make it:

Step 1 - marinade the chicken (10-15 minutes)

1. Take 4 chicken thighs on the bone but with the skin off. Score the pieces so that the marinade really penetrates.

2. Put them in a box which you can chuck into the freezer before adding the marinade masala

3. Now add the magic marinade masala which is...

• 2-3 tbs of ginger garlic paste, mustard oil

• 2-3 tbs of onion paste

• 1-2 tps of red chilli powder

• 1 tps of turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garlic powder and onion powder

• 1/2 packer of dry tandoori masala

• Add the juice of 1green lime

• 1 tbs of apple cider vinegar

4. Massage the masala marinade onto the pieces nicely

5. Close the lid and let it rest for at least 1 hour if you want to freeze it / or put it in the fridge for at least 12 hours - the longer the better 

Step 2 - pan grill the chicken (cooking time: 20-25 minutes)

1. Take out the chicken from the freezer and thaw for 8-10 hours before cooking

2. Take a large frying pan and heat 1 tbs of white oil and 1tbs of mustard oil or ghee (for flavour) On high

3. Once the oil is nice and hot, put the chicken piece flat side down

4. Fry for 3-4 mins before flipping; fry the other side as well for 2-3 mins

5. Now cover and let the chicken cook for 4-5 mins (turn down the heat to half way)

6. Open the over, flip the chicken and cover again to cook for another 4-5 mins

7. Turn up the heat to max and fry off the chicken on both sides for 2-3 minutes each to finish it off

Note: This pan grilling technique keeps the chicken juicy and moist on the inside and crispy, smoky on the outside (as you can see above). We tried using the oven but the chicken got quite dry.

Step 3 - garnish and plate up (5-7 mins)

1. Make a nice salad of sliced cucumber, red onions, tomatoes and carrots. Dress with squeeze of lime, chat masala and black rock salt.

2. Add a couple of green lime wedges 

3. Place the chicken to rest on the plate for 2 mins and sprinkle chat masala

4. Garnish with coriander leaves 

5. I recommend making a raita on the side (take some curd in a bowl, mix it up to a smooth consistency, add some boondi, chat masala, chilli powder and black rock salt. Mix gently.)

Step 4 - tuck in

I recommend serving with parantha, pita bread or naans. See it disappear in 10 mins. Yummy!

Step 5: wash the frying pan 
The frying pan will be a mess after cooking the chicken. So I usually rise off the pan when cooled. Then put a little hot water and cleaning liquid, cover with 3 sheets of kitchen paper towels and lease to soak it overnight. It does the job and becomes easy to clean in the morning without the need for vigorous scrubbing!