E=mc²: This historic, path breaking formula proposed by the legendary Albert Einstein, had taken the world by storm in the former half of the 20th century. Harmless and tame, the little equation might appear; nonetheless it paved the way for a new world, braver but ruthless. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on the August of 1945, showed to the world what an unsuspecting, almost negligible atom could do. It also showed how merciless, cold blooded statesmanship could afflict unbearable trauma to mankind. In the face of world politics, the dangerous strategies taken up by the premiers of the countries undoubtedly were hallmarks of their military prowess, but they could not wash away the stench of dying innocents. Should Japan be blamed because it started the war? Should America be blamed because it dropped the bombs that killed over 2 lacs of innocent, unsuspecting Japanese and crippled a race for generations to come? Do we, the people of the world have no responsibility for these atrocities? Should we forget and may be even forgive?

The renowned theatre personality, Badal Sirkar‟s play TRINGSHO SATABDI is a heart wrenching text depicting the socio political causes and effects of the Nuclear Warfare that started with the twin bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Blank Verse has modeled its newest production, E=mc2 on the lines of TRINGSHO SATABDI, as a homage to its recently deceased great playwright. E=mc2 speaks of the war atrocities inflicted by the nuclear empowered nations, the lives of people who bore the brunt of merciless killings, sufferings unspeakable, unbearable, and the common man, who chooses to forget the dark alleys of history and live a life of denial, wrapped in a make believe of “wonderful world”.

The sudden demise of the great Indian playwright and Theatre Personality, Badal Sirkar, created a deep void in our minds. So, recreating one of his timeless creations, TRINGSHO SATABDI as E=mc2 is a humble but honest effort to pay our whole hearted respects to this great man.

Not only did we decide to work with TRINGSHO SATABDI just because it is an extraordinary Badal Sircar play, the message TRINGSHO SATABDI conveys is a stark realistic truth that is so relevant and appropriate in today‟s world. The nuclear disarmament is a severe issue now, and given the consequences the world had to face due to mishandling of nuclear power, be it Hiroshima or Nagasaki or Bikini Atolls or Chernobyl or Fukushima, an effort to put a bridle on it seems all the more relevant and significant.

Working with the text was not an easy task at first. The morbid chapters of history which changed the course of the world, destroyed a part of it and crippled few generations cannot be easy to be understood and recreated. Badalda’s text was the guiding light in those hours of confusion. We have assimilated a few more things to the original text, without altering the mainframe of the former script. The task that we undertook was exhausting. Within a very short span of time we tried to make this production ready for stage. Yes, we faltered at times, the deadline sometimes seemed unattainable, but never lost hope; may be the urge to do something that is so relevant an issue in the society now, encouraged us to march forward. We hope E=mc2 makes us think. Think for us, our future and the future of this world.

The play might not be tagged as ‘good’, but we want it to make it ‘apt’ for time. We intentionally avoid the ‘beautification’ on stage in this regard. We have never provided the characters with adequate detailing in costume, make up and properties, as per the history shows, but unlike creating a ‘Classic’ one our endeavor is always lurks behind of making it a documentation of Time, Space, Reality and the Aftermath which one may not like but cannot ignore.

After all, Blank Verse always longs for a better World to live in, where our Children take jolly breath of Oxygen in a warless & fearless World. And we should at least care for that, at least we should think of the Children. We cannot let them get charred or waiting in debris for ‘radio-active’ end of Civilization. So, in this context, if the play, E=mc2 emerges as a vehement propaganda against War, Fear & Nuclear Test all over the World we will consider ourselves human enough to stand before a mirror.
Bests.