Aradi: Santosh Padhi is a priest at the famous Akhandalamani shrine here in Bhadrak district, but his passion is writing plays.
“I have no desire for name or fame; even not to make good earnings. My aim is to entertain audience. An artiste should have a content life. And I get immense joy in doing that,” says Santosh.
Simple and suave, he has been churning out plays one after another. His father, Narasingh Padhi, was also a temple priest. Born in 1969, Santosh was inclined towards writing plays after completing HSC. Initially, he used to write dialogues and stage plays with his village friend out of fun. “By doing that, the passion-laced fun became a reality. When some village children started mimicking dialogues of my plays, I was encouraged to write more,” he recalled.
In 1980, small troupes used to stage plays on festivals and special occasions in various pockets of Aradi. Naba Utkal Opera, owned by late Nabakishore Sahu, was popular in the area. “One day, I chanced to meet the yatra party owner at an event. His encouragement inspired me to write plays and made me a playwright,” Santosh said.
Famous opera party Shibani Gananatya staged his play ‘Agara tala, Pachare Mela,’ in 1991 which became an instant hit. After that, other leading playwrights of the state recognised his talent.
“Famous playwright Ananta Ojha just patted my back. He told me to carry on,” Santosh recalled. After that he has never looked back and kept on writing more popular plays like Bagha Kanduchhi, Kalia Ghodare Chadhibi, Bandha Padigala Radha Sindura, Bagha Baghuni, Bandha Padigala Panata Kani and Bichar Kariba Ma Panata.
About 60 plays of his have been staged successfully by different yatra parties. Besides, Santosh has directed 15 plays. He says, “When my plays receive applause from audience, my joy knows no bounds.”
PNN