Panditji- a prisoner serving a life term in Presidency jail since 2005 – performs puja everyday in a temple inside the correctional home. But he will miss his routine rituals for a few days next month. For, he needs to travel to Mumbai with a troupe of 62 prisoners to perform ‘Mokshagati’ – a dance drama conceptualized and directed by eminent danseuse Alokananda Roy.
Like Panditji, Brihaspati, Rupal, Krishna, Jagat and Chaitali – all convicted in some case or the other – will have a chance to look at the brighter side life this Puja. Not only a series of performance in a city like Mumbai, they’ll also have a scope to go on a shopping spree. “We perform plays every year. But this time, we will take at least 20 new convicts who never had the opportunity to step outside the jail premises,” Roy told TOI over phone.
“Though there is a police arrangement, my performers are so disciplined that the security personnel hardly have a tough time. Even when they go for shopping, they divide themselves in groups and come back within the stipulated time. Older prisoners even keep a watch on those who are on their first trip,” Roy added.
“The entire tour will be organized by the Bengal Welfare Association – a Mumbai based association. For each performance, the prisoners will be paid Rs 50,000. The entire amount will be deposited in the prisoners’ welfare fund,” Kumar said.When asked about the drama, Roy said, “This is a creative concept where we will show the journey emperor Ashoka from a blood thirsty king (Chandashoke) to a religious missionary (Dharmashoke). Though the role of Ashoka will be done Nigel Akkara but he will be showed on screen but the actual performance will be done by the convicts. Only I will make an entry at the last part of the play”.
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-02/kolkata/41688327_1_durga-puja-navi-mumbai-prisoners
