"Koffee Kathā Kabitā": A Stage for the Complexities of Modern Relationships
In the intimate setting of a cozy, Odia-inspired coffee house, a new stage play, "Koffee Kathā Kabitā," unfolds as a poignant exploration of modern love, ambition, and the intricate web of human connections. The narrative, written by Abhinna Routray and directed by Rohan Yadav, uses the simple act of sharing coffee as a medium to delve into the multifaceted lives of a group of interconnected individuals, reflecting the contemporary realities of a generation navigating a rapidly evolving world.
The story is centered around a café, the silent witness to the characters' journeys. It is co-owned by the vibrant and free-spirited ADRITI (Smiti Bhanja) and her current partner, the devoted and well-connected CHAMPAK (Sagar Mohapatra). The café's atmosphere is also shaped by JAY (Joy Mishra), a gifted writer who serves coffee, perhaps gathering stories from the patrons who pass through. The audience is drawn into this world through the eyes of ISHANI (Siddhi Sathpathy), a book lover who begins reading a novel titled The Broken Relationship, written by Jay himself, blurring the lines between fiction and the unfolding reality.
The plot ignites with the arrival of ALISHA (Sheetal Pattnaik), a bubbly and adventurous young woman, and her boyfriend, the handsome and intelligent ROHIT (Rohan Yadav). The tension becomes palpable when it is revealed that Rohit is not only Adriti's ex-boyfriend but also her original partner in building the café six years prior. Their unresolved past erupts in the café’s "open talk box," a designated space for confrontation, where Rohit confronts Adriti about why she was unfaithful to him.
The narrative weaves in other characters whose lives are just as entangled. RUPAN (Sidhi Ranjan Naga), Rohit’s innocent and well-meaning friend, finds himself developing feelings for NIVY, a wealthy and revenge-driven woman who also happens to be Champak's ex-girlfriend. Through a series of dramatic twists, Nivy’s journey culminates in her becoming the new proprietor of the very coffee house that serves as the backdrop for their intertwined destinies.
What makes "Koffee Kathā Kabitā" compelling is its authentic portrayal of its characters. They are presented not as one-dimensional figures but as complex individuals who embrace their flaws and contradictions. They navigate their messy, overlapping relationships with a certain tenderness and a forward-looking perspective, choosing to progress rather than be defined by past grievances. The play doesn't seek to judge their choices as right or wrong; instead, it presents them as a reflection of a generation comfortable with fluidity and change.
Ultimately, the play poses a profound question to its audience. As humanity races toward a future dominated by AI and machines, can this generation maintain a delicate balance between its emotional core and the technological tide? "Koffee Kathā Kabitā" is more than a story; it is a conversation starter, a mirror held up to the complexities of connection in the 21st century.
Creative and Cast Credits: Written by: Abhinna Routray, Directed by: Rohan Yadav, Onstage: Rohan Yadav, Sheetal Pattnaik, Smiti Bhanja, Joy Mishra, Siddhi Sathpathy, Sidhi Ranjan Naga, Sagar Mohapatra, Stagecraft: Sanjay Saha, Music: Soumya – Aditya, Movement: Anwesha, Art: Lotan, Costume: Old Town India
