Bhalo Manush

Disdained by some powerful god who has descended on Earth, Banku Behari, the water seller awaits their arrival at the outskirt of the town at the start of the play. The gods are searching from place to place for a shelter for the night, but to their dismay they found that people everywhere have shunned the principle of “goodness” that they had wanted them to inculcate as a divine dictate. They are selfish, dishonest and unhelpful and did not even agree to provide for them even for a single night. People in this town of Banku are no different, excepting for one. She is a poor kind soul, a prostitute, Shanta. Seeing the gods in distress, she cancelled her visit to a client and took them much to the surprise of Banku.

The gods gave her a parting gift of some money for her good deed with which she bought a small tobacco shop. The gods were eager to taste if her goodness will still remain, for then they can regain some faith in humanity. Shanta did what was expected of her, she was generous and even made impossible promises to help, and in no time her attitude caused serious problems for her. Soon in attraction of her largesse, the shop was crowded with beggar, petty thieves and rowdies and in their heels, the police.

In order to bring some order, Shanta invented a male cousin, Shantaprasad who will visit her in need. On such occasions, soft spoken, kindly and compassionate Shanta, dressed as Shantaprasad acted the role of stern and severe and even vicious cousin.

Initially such visits were few and far between and for short whiles, but gradually matter started going out of hand perennially, particularly when she was continuous chased by the big barber shop owner, Makhanbabu. Shantaprasad’s visit became more frequent and for longer periods of time, and gradually the traits of the imaginary character started transfusing in the real character of Shanta. In the mean time, her business grew and she was now the owner of a tobacco factory employing many people to work for her.

But still some “compassion” and “goodness” prevailed in her soul. She prevents a newly acquainted unemployed taxi driver, Gobindo, from committing suicide and falls in love with her, and was pregnant by him. But she soon realizes that Gobindo was not in love with her, he was after her money.

Hearing Shanta’s cry, Gobindo enters the room and did not find her; instead it was Shantaprasad sitting on her desk. Suspecting some foul play Gobindo demands to know what he has done to her. Shantaprasad could not offer any explanation. The townsmen arrive suddenly and came to the conclusion that he has murdered her.

Shantaprasad was produced to the court on charges of murder. He declared that he wished to make a confession, but only to the judges. As others left the courtroom, Shanta revealed her to the judges who were actually the same gods whom she had given shelter. The gods were in a predicament- in their divine arbitrary attitude they want people to be good, but in the process they make them so vulnerable!