Badal Sircar's "Evam Indrajit"as a Reflection of Contemporay Times

We live in an age of science. All around us are the fairytales of progress in the long march of time. Man is basically a social animal. He has become societally engrossed to the extent that his individuality has dissolved in its framework. He fails to define society, and society defines him. The ongoing frustrations, burning problems and inconsistencies in life have become a routine for him, as they have for the social order.

It is in such an age that "Evam Indrajit" holds relevance. The very title "Evam Indrajit" or "And Indrajit" exemplifies modern man's state of identity crisis. He prefers to be addressed as Nirmal, like Amal, Kamal or Vimal and conform to the dictates of society. He is called by a mere roll number that can be easily replaced that defines him in terms of statistics. Further, he cannot marry Manasi because he is her cousin and not because he is himself. The monotony and mechanical nature of contemporary existence is echoed by the cyclical ,incoherent and illogical plot. The stichomythic dialogue and repetitive phrases add to the idea of a humdrum existence. The structure of the drama reminds one of the same. First,while it is the aunty who asks the writer to stop writing, later it is Manasi who asks him to do the same. People are caught in a cycle of time in which the events change, but people are the same. The aunt finds it strange that the writer needs to write relegating basic biological functions. The writer emphasizes of a purpose in life apart from the basic biological functions in an age of Science. Rightly had G.B.Shaw envisaged that man will reach a stage where he will be reduced to a mere pulp of brain because that will be the only part in utility. Thanks to lack of innovation, creatively and failing to living life evocatively. Modern man has become anti-romantic, dry ,logical and scientific in his attitude. This precisely is the reason that the writer is perplexed, for, the protagonist Indrajit whom he has got for his play is a man who thinks realistically but dreams romantically.

He endeavours to revolt against injustice, hypocrisy and the setbacks in society. They have to attend an interview when they know that the employers have already chosen their man. It is obvious that the present does not honour merit or talent; money or influence relegates he former to the background. The disorganization of the various institutions is also stressed upon. The playwright takes a dig at the offices of the times when he says "after files-tea-tea-then snacks-then files-then tea." The unpunctuality of the railway, is touched upon-either they leave early or come very late The burning topic of unemployment is also dealt, with where educated people have to struggle for job.

The heavy load of the current educational system is suggested when a student of the third grade has to undergo a test to secure admission in school. The playwtright highlights the problem of child labour when Indrajit asserts that he cannot go by the rules where a boy of twelve goes about polishing shoes, carrying a child.

Indrajit perceives the conventional social rules as something absurd. When Manasi tells him that girls have to go by the rules, but boys don't have to, Indrajit tells her that she is worshipping the rope that binds her. He longs to bring down all the walls between them. He is representative of the contemporary youth who wants to marginalize all boundaries and distinctions. The playwright suggests the equality of all strata of society when the same person, the writer simultaneousley becomes the peon in the office, and also the boss.

Amal, Kamal and Vimal in short and broken sentences give us a picture of disillusioned picture of post-independent India. Their broken words reflect the 'broken images" of India. As India freed herself from the shackles of the British rule, she was no better. The dismantling of the Capitalist system led to Fascism and it led the world to destruction. Communism is killing man and his freedom. The democratic process is agonizingly slow and people are being crushed under such a system. The government cannott be trusted to do anything as it has become the abode of anarchy and nepotism. Vimal suggests that in such a state of affairs, they must adopt the others' stand:"If I am alive, all is well.'