Veteran Bengali playwright Chandan Sen’s play holds up a mirror to autocracy and shrinking freedom
Veteran Bengali playwright Chandan Sen discusses his play 'Ak Nayok-er Sesh Raat,' which critiques autocratic rule and the erosion of freedom of speech. The play highlights the struggles of theatre artists facing budget constraints and political pressure in modern society.
Why it matters
It reflects the growing global concern regarding the suppression of artistic expression and the rise of authoritarian political trends.
As freedom of speech and the rise of autocratic rule grip people across the globe, senior Bengali playwright Chandan Sen spoke about the rising issues through his play. The last show of the play was staged at Kolkata's iconic Academy of Fine Arts in the Rabindra Sadan area on Thursday (August 6, 2026).
Mr. Sen, who has himself spent several days behind bars during his younger days for speaking up against the system through his art, said that a crackdown on art and freedom of speech is gripping everyone in society.
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