Rupalim: Jyotiprasad’s Evergreen Classic

Himangshu Ranjan Bhuyan

(himangshur1989@gmail.com)

 Jyotiprasad Agarwala, known as Rupkonwar of Assam, was an extraordinary genius whose literary and artistic contributions transformed Assamese culture. Among his myriad creations, the play Rupalim remains an unparalleled masterpiece, embodying his unmatched vision and storytelling brilliance. Written in 1936 and staged in 1937 at the Baan Theatre in Tezpur, Rupalim is not just a play but a timeless reflection of human emotions, societal intricacies, and the eternal struggle between love and adversity.

It is a seven-act tragedy that focuses on love, jealousy, sacrifice, and social compulsion in its fictional setup amidst the Rukmi tribe. It portrays a heart-rending love of a simple-minded village girl Rupalim, belonging to the Rukmi tribe, for her lover Mayab, through which pure love becomes caught in a complex maze of outside powers, jealousy, and politics culminating in a tragic death at the end of Rupalim. Jyotiprasad’s decision to write an independent plot, without any mythological or historical base, is very innovative for Assamese drama.

Rupali is the central character of the play. She is innocent, full of love, and selfless without any selfishness. She portrays virtues that everybody in the world can relate to. She was portrayed as a simple tribal girl. Rupalim’s emotion towards Mayab and her motherly affection towards him present her with much emotional depth. Her maternal care for a young boy in the tribe reflects her innate kindness and elevates her character beyond a simple romantic figure. However, her simplicity also makes her vulnerable to the complex and hostile forces around her.

Mayab, Rupalim’s lover, is as crucial to the plot. He is deeply and authentically in love with Rupalim, but the world and political situation render him impotent against its forces. While their love story is at the centre of the play, other darker elements jealousy and oppression-overshadow this one. It is this mix of emotions and outer forces that make Rupalim a tragedy and such an emotional journey for the viewer.

Through his character, the antagonist Monimugdha symbolizes not just exterior oppression but the destructive power of unchecked desire, and it’s through his obsession with Rupalim and his resultant abduction of the latter that carries the story into its tragic climaxes. Criticizing such societal and political upheavals that affect and disturb the usual life of citizens, Jyotiprasad portrays his character, the antagonist Monimugdha, as a complex who with his desires demolishes the tribe of Rupalim.

Itiven, the second female character and as important to the story, differs from Rupalim. Full of envy and malice, Itiven ignites the calamity. Itiven’s envious heart because she could not win Rupalim’s heart for love makes the story very emotive and more complex as Jyotiprasad weaves this theme of destroying one’s strong relationship through the instrument of jealousy. The tension between Rupalim and Itiven is the most intriguing relationship in the play, depicting human emotions in dualistic terms. Extremely strong as a playwright, Jyotiprasad establishes the characters and their relationships in an impeccable manner. Each character has been crafted so meticulously that whatever they do or feel impacts the depth of the play. The poetry and lyrics of dialogues have been carried out by profound literary sentiments of Jyotiprasad. Music and songs are interwoven into the fabric of the narrative, allowing for a complete theatrical experience with emphasis on emotion.

At its core, Rupalim is a tragedy, but by all means, it does not follow the traditional sense of tragic narrative. Unlike the tragic heroes where falls are from personal errors, Rupalim’s fate is framed by her virtues. For her innocence, selflessness, and love, Rupalim is brought down by external strength rather than by personal weaknesses. This approach to tragedy is, in itself unique and raises Rupalim to a profound work of philosophical significance, prompting the audience to think about how pureness might be vulnerable to a world full of complexity and often cruelty.

The climax of the play was both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking as the sacrifice of Rupalim reached its peak. Her death is not only a personal tragedy but a symbolic selfless act that will bring a better future to her community. In this moment, Jyotiprasad drives home the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and sacrifice. The transformation from a simple tribal girl to a symbol of eternal love and devotion marks Rupalim indelibly in the psyche of the audience as a timeless figure in Assamese literature.

The thematic depth of Rupalim goes beyond its narrative. It speaks to universal emotions and societal issues, which makes it relevant across generations and cultures. The play’s love, jealousy, and sacrifice strike a chord in the hearts of the audience, while its criticism of societal and political oppression gives it a layer of social commentary. The ease with which Jyotiprasad has woven these elements together is reflective of his genius as a playwright and his deep understanding of human nature.

Empathy and introspection seem to live through Rupalim, something that goes far beyond time and space and becomes an eternal component of Assamese theatre. This style of storytelling has made an irretrievable impression on Assamese drama and culture in general because of original plots, complexities in characters, and poetic eloquence as perfected by Jyotiprasad.

In conclusion, Rupalim is not just a play; it is a masterpiece that depicts the artistic vision and philosophical outlook of Jyotiprasad Agarwala. The play, with its rich narration, memorable characters, and thematic depth, continues to inspire and captivate audiences in perpetuity and authenticate Jyotiprasad’s position among the finest literary and cultural personalities of Assam. His creation, Rupalim, glistens as one of the glitters of creative expression, reminding us that art has, since antiquity, been the binding source of reflection and change in society.