His depiction of the much-loved preacher Ramakrishna Paramahansa in the play `Nati Binodini' has taken the theatre world here by storm, winning him rave reviews. And analysts say that the admiration he had won from the people through his sterling performance could earn him rich political dividend!

Analysts say that judging by the very large number of followers of the 19th century religious leader in West Bengal, it can be safely said that Panja would sweep the North-East Calcutta constituency in the coming elections. Panja belongs to the Trinamool Congress party, which he joined after being denied nomination in the 1998 Parliamentary elections by the Congress party.

Public reactions endorse the analysts' view. Panja surprised the audiences even more because no one knew of his histrionic abilities, except those occasional flashes shown in Parliament.

"We will not forget this experience in our life time," was the reaction of noted singer Susmita Goswami, who was among a galaxy of celebrities in the audience at one of the shows. Others prominent in the audience were `Udbodhan', editor Swami Purnatmananda of the Ramakrishna order, state Human Rights Commission chairman MG. Mukhopadhyay and eminent theatre personality Veena Das Gupta.

A review in a local daily described the first scene depicting the shower of compassion that Ramakrishna poured without reservation on debauch Girish Ghosh as "the bursting of a bomb shell in the pin-drop silence of the hall".

The organisers of the play, a group of amateurs called `Disha' comprising some lawyers of the Calcutta high court, disclosed that Panja was able to spare only a few days from his busy schedule for rehearsal before the play was staged.

But it was not Panja's acting abilities alone that made the play such a resounding success. The authentic depiction of the 19th century period, the pleasing sets and the excellent performance of others in the cast contributed equally to its success.

Panja has held the portfolios of information and broadcasting and coal, among others, in the governments of Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao.

India Abroad News Service