The Firebird by Saikat Majumdar

The Firebird by Saikat Majumdar

Stepping into a different life on stage regularly, how convincing are the theatre artists! Doesn’t it become impossible at times to recognize their true identities separate from their characters? How does one then cope with this lost identity when the actor is not seen as her real self, but as the character she plays alone? Especially if that actor is a woman, married, living in a family and neighborhood that does not empathize with her professional choices, who is a mother to a naive child who is yet wobbling his way into life? ‘The Firebird’ is a compelling story of the social, emotional, and personal struggle of Garima Basu and her son Oritro wading through life’s ups and downs only to be swallowed one day by a whirlpool of dogmas designed by the keepers of the society.

The story is set in Kolkata, written in a genuine Bengali flavor. Each scene and the plot is so evocative and detailed as if it's happening right before your eyes. Although this leaves very little space for the reader to imagine, I believe the novelist has a strong story to tell which brings depth to the narration and works well for the book. Although it’s quite subjective from reader to reader, I think the author exposes the cliches and widespread perceptions about the role of women in a house, in a society, and what is expected of them. There are some strong women characters in the book that present different ‘acceptable’ and ‘not acceptable' answers. This being in the backdrop, the protagonist of the story, Ori is living only to understand and cope with the situation around him, a wordless struggle that quietly draws impressions on his young fragile mind; those that will make him emerge as the ‘Firebird’ one day.

The novelist has neatly weaved the story with theatre and the life in and around it. It darkly is all colorful!

“He could never understand how she could change her clothes in a room full of other women who laughter and whispered and smoked cigarettes that smelt foul.”

“The lobby was half-lit and shadowy; weak music spilled out past the door to the main gallery. Locked and unlit, the little ticket counter on the right looked like an empty cage.”

Through this, the author gives an impeccable glimpse of the changing culture and perception of the craft as well. The reader cannot escape the smell of makeup, alcohol, cigarettes, paint peeling off the walls and on yet-to-be dried play-posters, and the sight of glittering inferior stage decorations and costumes.

Many characters keep appearing across the chapters as there is a dramatic progression in the story. I often look for an escape from reality in books, for reality is far crueler; however, only when I thought the story could have had a peaceful end, the tragedy unfolds. I feel Ori’s pain, his silence, his helplessness. At the same time, I also understand Garima’s pursuit, her craving for acceptance, her dilemmas, and her choices. One could easily judge Muummun, Ori’s grandmother, and her aunt Rupa for their typical approaches in domestic situations, however, they too had their roles in keeping the family together which at times brought a ray of hope for Ori and me as a reader. The entire story setup, with all the characters, would look quite familiar and the reader would certainly relate to different characters as they perceive life around them. It’s not the story but storytelling that makes a difference, and the author has aced the craft, I’d say.

‘The Firebird’ is a story showcasing some of the complex nuances of life, artistically crafted to leave a lasting impression on the reader’s mind.

Review by: Nazneen Kachwala