Subhamoy Ganguly is a senior lecturer at Auckland University and an ardent theatre enthusiast, he will be making his maiden ‘Prayas’ debut with ‘The Clay Cart,’ the English adaptation of centuries old Sanskrit play Mricchkaktikam. Subhamoy describes himself as curious, open to new experiences and learning new things. Talking exclusively to The Indian News, Subhamoy Ganguly opened up about his humble background, his hobbies, and his family.
Subhamoy Ganguly was born and grew up in eastern India (culturally and linguistically connected to Bangladesh), who had a relatively humble upbringing. He has memories of early 1980s as a child, are of his parents getting their first ever fridge and later the first black & white telly, a family car was out of question in those days. Subhamoy says he was still very fortunate for the opportunities he got especially in terms of education. He has lived and worked in many cities across India, USA, and now in New Zealand for past six years. Subhamoy says to pay his bills he currently teaches at the Business School at Auckland University. Subhamoy lives in South Auckland with his beautiful wife, two lovely daughters and their adorable dog.
Subhamoy says after getting married, he quit job twice to become a full-time student and he jokingly adds, he is still married to the same woman. Subhamoy said their daughters were born while he was a full-time student and that way his post graduate studies were productive in more than one way. Subhamoy says while in India, he lived for few years in Udaipur and Mumbai before moving to USA where he spent good 13 years before moving to New Zealand six years ago. He says his wife has told him, enough of international moving hence New Zealand is now home for him and his family.
Talking about his passion for theatre and the ‘zeal to be heard’, Subhamoy says I am fortunate, both my profession and my hobby provide me that opportunity to fulfil my desire. Subhamoy says he has seen two of the Prayas shows which were of very high quality and he was particularly impressed by their presentation skills and adaptability which prompted him to join them for ‘The Clay Cart’ play. Subhamoy says he is very happy to be part of ‘The Clay Cart’ play which is the English adaptation of ancient Sanskrit play write by Sudraka from 5th century CE. He says he feels proud to be part of a play which is based on telling of a story which is from the country I come from. Subhamoy says The Clay Cart play has a big star cast of 15-17 artists and he is having two different roles to perform in the play. Subhamoy says Prayas is the biggest theatre production group he is part of, and he is excited about it. He says Prayas is a group of some very talented and highly motivated individuals. Subhamoy says he has done theatre before in his school and early college days which were predominantly in Bengali language. He has taken part in some plays done by the Bengali community in Auckland and another at Auckland University Student Union’s drama club to a smaller audience.
Subhamoy is playing the roles of a Massager or ‘Maalishwala’ who turns to gambling and then later becomes a Buddhist monk and the other role he is playing is of a policeman. He says at the moment he is enjoying both his profession and his hobby. Subhamoy is a keen sailor and he likes hiking apart from trying to play musical instruments and doing amateur singing.
‘The Clay Cart’ play will be held at TAPAC, The Auckland Performing Arts Centre from 29th November to 8th December, one show each day. Tickets for the show will be available from TAPAC website or from the Prayas FB page. All theatre enthusiasts in New Zealand have the opportunity to witness the ancient Indian story in a play form which is relevant even today. -as told to Yugal Parashar