The Betrayer's Curse: Incognito in Bengal

This project – what’s it all about?
In 2024, we are taking a bold step into the past by adapting Indian writer Bimal Mitra's critically acclaimed novel Begum Mary Biswas into a stage play titled - The Betrayer's Curse, Incognito in Bengal.

The story is set against the backdrop of Bengal in 1757, a time when the British East India company was planting its roots in the region. Fortunes changed when India lost freedom to Britain in the Battle of Plassey. This defeat pioneered centuries of wealth and prosperity to England, leaving only ruin for India. Our age-old pride turned into weakness, and wealth into poverty.  This is not just a story of some influential men who tried to lure their fortune amidst the chaos, but rather, this stands out to be the tale of a woman with towering personality and self-determination, striving to steer the fate of Bengal. This is the story of a women who held her head high in the tumultuous time of Bengal and placed a crucial voice for women at that time.

Our production raises an important question - why revisit history when we can focus on more contemporary issues? We hope to answer those questions and more through our take of this story and history.

History is our foundation
History shapes our present and connects us to our roots. In today's globalized, digital world, we are slowly drifting away from these roots. Without history, we risk becoming like orphans, disconnected from our heritage. Through this stage play, we aim to reconnect with the glory of Bengal and reconnect with that era. It will be like taking a journey back in time, offering the audience an immersive and adventurous ride through the memory of Bengal's glorious past.

Women's empowerment across time
Women's empowerment is something that may be close to everyone’s hearts, but it cannot be achieved solely through policies and law. While the world continues to fight for the protection of women and children, on the year - August 2024, a young lady doctor was brutally murdered in a government hospital in Bengal while on duty. This incident has shaken one and all, so The Temple of Arts wants to raise the struggle of women through a story, while bridging the gap between the golden and silicon age. The story revolves around a poor village girl named Morali - she is the victim of a conspiracy setup by a Nawab and Viceroy. Morali defied all the odds, challenged the patriarchal system and ensured her voice was heard in a world dominated by lust and greed. Her story is one of strength and defiance, and a reminder to one and all that you must fight to have your voice heard in the struggle for equality.

Culture-surpasses continents
While the original novel is in Bengali, we are striving to retain the authenticity of the text by making the play primarily in Bengali. However, to make it accessible to a broader Australian audience, we will incorporate English into the play. The major dialogues will be in Bengali, but English voiceovers will provide context, allowing the broader audience to grasp the intricacies of that era. The play will also be choreographed to create scenes of beauty, enhancing the storytelling experience. This will be our first experimental bilingual production – as we look to continue to strengthen the Indo-Australian friendship.

The aim of our play is not just to entertain the audience, but it’s also to showcase and educate on historical facts, serve as a platform for artistic imagination and creativity, all while strengthening Indo-Australian culture and values.

Details
The Betrayer's Curse - Incognito in Bengal
Date: March 22nd 2025 @ Bryan Brown Theatre -- gates open 5pm.
Directed by: Rwitobroto Mukherjee - a Bengali theatre director and actor (including short roles in films such as the Bollywood's Kahaani) 
Adapted for Stage by: Granthan Sengupta
Special guest appearance by: A famous Bengali and Indian film personality -- details coming soon!
Conceived by: Madhu Sen