Srikanto (2022) Season 01

Srikanto and Rajlokkhi’s sensual yet sporadic love transcends space and time. At a time of heartbreaking separation between the two, Abhaya enters Srikanto’s life even as his passionate fascination with Rajlokkhi strives for closure. Srikanto is the musical retelling of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s eponymous novel and presents a modern take on the relationship of Srikanto-Rajlokkhi.

Set in sometime between late 19th-century to early 20th century,[6] the story occurs in different regions of British India — Bhagalpur, Patna, Rafngoon, Sainthia (Birbhum) and Debanandapur (Hooghly).[7]

Part I
While living in his uncle’s house, Srikanta, a boy, one day, meets Indranath, a boy of his age, during a football match and from that time, they become close friends. Srikanta accompanies Indranath in his daring adventures. Indranath loves and helps with money an outcast woman named Annadadidi, wife of a Romani snake-charmer. Srikanta also comes to close to Annadadidi. Meanwhile Annadadidi’s husband dies of snake-bite leaving her alone, one day she disappears from the scene Indranath also goes away one day and is never seen again. In course of time, Srikanta by chance meets a princely friend of his and goes out on a hunting expedition. There in the prince’s tent, he meets Piyari, a nautch (dance) girl, who is none other than his old and dear schoolmate. Her real name is Rajlakshmi. She has not forgotten her old love which grows more intense while meeting Srikanta. After leaving the hunting party, Srikanta, the vagabond that he is, joins a group of roving mendicants. During the travelling Srikanta falls ill, and with some difficulty he sends news of his illness to Piyari at Patna, who hurriedly comes with her stepson to him and takes him to Patna. Srikanta spends some days there in the loving care of Piyari, and one day Srikanta takes leave of Piyari and goes to his native village.[3][7]

Part II
In the second part, Srikanta’s voyage to Rangoon (Burma) and his stay there have been narrated in details.[7]

Srikanta gets acquainted with many strange people on board the ship bound for Rangoon, among whom are Abhaya, a young married woman, and her male companion named Rohini. Abhaya was going to Rangoon to live with her husband, but she is treated very inhumanly by her beastly husband and is refused entry into his house. Abhaya and Rohini, who love each other, live together like husband and wife. Srikanta returns to his native village, but is taken ill there. Rajalakshmi comes to him and takes charge of his treatment and nursing.[3]

Part III
Srikanta and Rajalakshmi come to a village in the district of Birbhum. There Rajalakshmi is always busy with her religious practices and discourses. Srikanta is left alone, the rift between them becomes wider.[3]

Part IV
Srikanta thinks of going to Burma again, but by chance he meets his old friend Gahar in his village. Gahar takes him to a Vaishnava Ashram where he meets Kamallata who becomes very intimate with him. At the end, Kamallata leaves the Ashram bidding goodbye to Srikanta.

• Hoichoi