A magistrate and an author

TNN | Jun 2, 2014, KOLKATA: He is a legal eagle, a writer and a poet rolled into one. A combination which is rare, for it's not easy to switch from verses and prose to the far more prosaic court arguments. But Biplab Roy straddles the two worlds with consummate ease. The chief judicial magistrate of Darjeeling is a passionate writer — in fact, a best-selling author. His latest book 'Kuasha Mora Sakal' — a touching tale of a convict who struggles to return to normal life — has been topping the charts for several weeks.

It was while growing up in South Dinajpur and Malda that the seeds of creativity were sown in him, says Roy. Life in the districts was very different and more colourful than what he later encountered as a lawyer in Kolkata. "There were characters in the villages and towns that got etched in my memory and psyche. Some were ordinary people, some strange and some outlaws. There would be tales and myths around them that were passed on from village to village. I would listen to them intensely and somehow they all got stored in my mind. Later, I felt compelled to write about them," he says.

It wasn't easy, though. After graduating in law, a young Roy moved to Kolkata from his hometown in Kushmandi, South Dinajpur, in 1995. He started practising in high court. It was in the courts that he renewed his ties with people he had seen back in the villages as child. "Somehow, I sympathized with the convicts. I felt they were misunderstood, abused and neglected by the society. It forced me to write about them," he said.

Roy's first book was a collection of children's rhymes 'Aaj putuler biye'. Author Sunil Gangopadhyay had read one of his rhymes and goaded him to write a book. "He gave me the courage and the energy to go ahead and publish a book,"Roy said. He hasn't looked back since. 'Alo Andhare', a collection of short stories, came on the heels of the first book. But Roy felt he wanted to write about his growing up days, the villages and the people that had always fascinated him.

"Moyna was a notorious dacoit in the area around my village. He was a fearless robber, a Robin Hood whom everyone feared and admired. Moyna was caught and jailed after he had got reformed, married and settled down. He was imprisoned and charged for the robberies that he actually hadn't committed. It was his gang that did the robberies and named him as their leader. Moyna was denied the chance to be a part of the society even after he had changed, which I felt was unfair," said Roy. 'Kuasha Mora Sakal' is based on the life of this village robber who didn't lose hope and strived to exit the world of crime till the end. "Ironically, our legal system is geared more towards retaining a criminal in the world of crime. No one is ready to give them a second chance," Roy observed. He took charge as the CJM of Darjeeling in 2013.

The success of "Kusha Mora Sakal" hasn't surprised him. "Even while I was writing, I could feel that it had a strong connect with the readers. It was a story which everyone would love. For me, it had a cathartic effect for I had been waiting to write the story for years." he explained.

Roy, who has also penned lyrics for four Bengali films - 'Raat Parir Rupkatha', 'Maa Amar Maa', 'Amar Bodyguard' and 'Love Connection' - loves to go around the jails and observe the inmates. He says there is a lot to learn from their lives. "It isn't just for stories or inspiration. I love interacting with them. It also helps me carry out my professional duties better," Roy added.

A busy schedule is a hurdle, but Roy is a tireless writer. Every evening, after he is back from work, Roy sits down to write. "Earlier, I would watch TV, read newspapers and would just take it easy. Now, I write almost every free minute. Since time is limited, I need to work more and faster," said Roy But he prefers prose. He is already working on his next book, apart from a film project. Being away from the hustle and bustle of Kolkata helps him to write. "I love the hills so being in Darjeeling is a boon. My job keeps me close to people and nature at the same time. I am fortunate, I guess," he said.

Story of a woman

Given the rising cases of domestic violence against women in different parts of India, Padatik Theatre presented Franca Rame and Dario Fo's popular comedy 'A Woman Alone'. Mahmud Alam, who directed and designed the play, believes the issues contained in the monologue are still relevant in the society where many homemakers have everything, except for the right to be treated or respected as an individual.

Sanchayita Bhattacharjee acted as a homemaker subject to all kinds of abuse at home. Locked up in a flat by her jealous husband, life turns out to be a hell for the solitary woman who has to struggle with dodgy phone calls, household chores, a perverted brother-in-law, a peeping neighbour and a screaming baby. The play was an interaction with the audience with whom she shares the saga of her life.

As music is the only relaxation for the pent-up woman, Louis Armstrong's 'What a wonderful', Frank Sinatra's 'Forget your troubles', Nat King Cole's 'Straighten up and fly' and other English numbers of yesteryears were woven in the theatrical production. These songs showed her a glimmer of hope that the dull drudgery of daily chores she has to go through will come to an end. The audience gave the actress and the director a standing ovation.

Tagore in Germany

Rabindranath Tagore went to Germany for the first time in 1921 and delivered his maiden lecture at the Assembly Hall of Berlin's Friedrich Wilhelm University, now renamed Humboldt University, of Berlin. On June 1, 1921, Tagore mesmerized the audience with his lecture, 'The message of the forest', through which he explained his concept of 'one world'. Because of the overwhelming response, Tagore had to repeat his speech in front of several thousand listeners at the university again on June 2. Later on June 4, his famous lecture was recorded in Berlin's Hotel Esplanade, which is preserved at Humboldt University, where a bust of Tagore is also placed. Tagore re-visited Germany in 1926 and in 1930 he met Albert Einstein. The speech and the sound file of the speech stored at Humboldt University of Berlin, alma mater of German consul-general in Kolklata, Rainer Schmiedchen, was rediscovered in the university archives. Now, at the initiative of Schmiedchen, it is available on the German consulate website www.kolkata.diplo.de.

Academic passes away

Chandranath Chatterjee, the man who was at ease with economics as he was with football, passed away at 75 after prolonged illness. Prof. Chatterjee, who retired as Scottish Church College's vice-principal, had earned fame for his academic and administrative skills. He was always innovating and way ahead of his time. Chatterjee was founder president of super division football club Bhratri Sangha. He was also former vice-president, IFA.

Honour for institute

The Army Institute of Management (AIM), Kolkata, has been awarded the Golden Peacock National Training Award (GPNTA) 2014 for excellence in training and management system. The award was decided by a jury chaired by Justice P N Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India. The award, comprising a trophy and certificate, was presented by Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy to AIM (Kolkata) director Maj Gen (retd) S C Jain at the Golden Peacock Awards Nite at Thiruvananthapuram recently. GPNTA was started by the Institute of Directors in 1998 to identify excellence in training practices in organizations.

Vivekananda through music

A musical evening on the life and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda will be organized on June 1 at Rabindra Sadan. The programme, arranged by Shrutibritto in association with the information and cultural affairs department, will be an attempt to present Vivekananda's philosophy to the youth.

Home away from home

New Town authorities will hand over 32 flats for the economically weaker section at Rajarhat New Town to the state micro and small scale enterprises department. The block of flats - that will be named 'Su-Tirtha' - will be reserved for those who will come from the districts to participate in Banglar Haat that would be operational at Eco Park in New Town soon. Bengal's art and handicraft items will be on display for sale at Banglar Haat.

Work out while you work

For millions engaged in desk work, it would have been nice if they could make their limbs slog, too, while they sat on the computer wracking their brains. City entrepreneur Arnav Dalmia, now based in USA, has devised a unique under-desk fitness machine. Christened Cubii, it lets users move their legs with a minimum effort with little distraction. Arnav, a health freak, hopes to make people around him healthier.

(Contributed by Prithvijit Mitra, Sarthak Ganguly, Debashis Konar, Mainak Sain, Jayanta Gupta, Rohit Khanna & Suman Chakraborty. Compiled by Urmi Mukherjee. Pic by Debobrata Shome)