Want Reading Reccomendations? Here’s Why Mohit Chattopadhyay’s Captain Hurra Is A Must Read

Mohit Chattopadhyay’s famous play, Captain Hurra which he wrote in the 1970s, is one of the most interesting Bengali texts that one could come across. The play has a very interesting plot and dispenses a message of hope and imagination. Here are some of the reasons why you must read this play or if faced with good fortune, watch it!

Excellent plot and characters

The plot entails a couple who came to visit their friend only to find that he had been imprisoned. However, then they were summoned off to a hotel, where they were promised a leisurely romantic time. However, when they arrive there, they start realizing that the hotel is very otherworldly and different, full of quirky characters, with different motives! Befuddled by the place they have come, to and by surreal unbelievable happenings, they keep trying to escape initially. However, soon they come across Captain Hurra, the head of the “ship” that is sailing towards the future. The captain is full of jokes and wit and has a quirky demeanor. All these features make this a gripping story that is sure to enthrall the reader and the audience.

The metaphor of the map

A central aspect of the play is that all the characters from the world of Captain Hurra keep asking the couple for a map. Eventually, the reader or viewer, along with the couple realizes that the map is a metaphor, and the play is about paving a way for the future. It is about hopes and dreams and choosing to follow them. This is one of the most creative and relevant metaphors.

A World of fantasy and hope

This play like many others is an enthralling fantasy. The world where they land is surreal, with many strange characters. It has a bird-catcher, an elderly and respected man, Captain Hurra, the captain’s assistant, and this boy who ran away from his parents. All of them are unreal, a little quirky, and surreal. In the sky, there are hues of color flying all around, and constant music. Therefore, it is almost like a wonderland, and its unconventional nature is sure to draw you in!

Watch-worthy

If you are lucky to have the chance to see it, this is a play you must watch. If you happen to be in Calcutta now, it has currently been revived by a prominent theatre group in the city. The play has a lot of scope for creative scenography and innovations, as shown by this performance.