Posted on 18 July 2025:
RENOWNED MULTIFACETED TALENTED WRITER AND DIRECTOR RIK AMRIT LAUNCHED HIS BOOK – TWO PLAYS AT KOLKATA.
Two Plays by Rik Amrit: A Literary Evening in Kolkata
On the evening of 10th July 2025, the Aikatan Auditorium at Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Salt Lake, Kolkata, became a haven for theatre lovers and literary minds.
Renowned writer and director Rik Amrit formally launched his book — Two Plays, a compelling collection that bridges ancient Indian wisdom with modern-day dilemmas.
The ceremony was graced by Swami Vedaswarupananda Maharaj of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata, who released the book and shared profound reflections on Guru Māhātmya.
Eminent poet Shri Sudhir Dutta and EZCC Director Shri Ashis Giri added depth to the evening, celebrating the evolving voice of young dramatists.
Featuring A Nirvāṇa—A Jātaka Story and Aśvatthāmā—The Night Warrior, the plays—originally written in Hindi and Bengali—now reach a wider audience through their English publication, inviting readers into a world where timeless tales meet contemporary truths.
The Golden Peacock: A Symbol of Thoughtful Reflection
Two Plays by Rik Amrit opens with a compelling foreword by renowned Shri Arjun Bharadwaj, a respected Indologist and scholar of classical Indian literature.
In the first play, inspired by a Buddhist Jātaka tale, the author gently explores how rituals and beliefs are often revered without understanding their true meaning. Through the golden peacock—a recurring metaphor—he invites readers to reflect on the emptiness of blind faith and the deeper value of conscious spiritual inquiry. The story becomes a mirror, reminding us that the essence of the Supreme lies not in form, but in thoughtful understanding, eminent scholar Shri Arjun Bharadwaj writes in the foreword to the book – Two Plays.
Aśvatthāmā: Shadows of Conflict and the Echo of Misunderstanding
“The second play highlights how vile nature endures even at the brink of death; life situations do not lead to refinement in all kinds of people; the presence of noble souls around us may not enrich our lives if we are not cognizant of their importance and value – Aśvatthāmā, an epic character from the Mahābhārata, is not only an embodiment of misdeeds but also misinterprets Kṛṣṇa’s intentions,” renowned scholar Shri Arjun Bharadwaj added.
Aśvatthāmā, consumed by bitterness, misreads Kṛṣṇa’s divine intent—becoming a symbol of misdeeds and missed understanding. While the first play offers peace and introspection, the second stirs the soul, reminding us of the cost of unresolved anger.
The event concluded with heartfelt congratulations to Rik Amrit, whose writing continues to illuminate timeless truths with contemporary relevance.
