MUMBAI: It’s time to relive the legend through the eyes of a cult director – Q – who is famous for his aesthetically treated content. hoichoi is bringing Q’s take on the famous character created by legendary Bengali author, Bibhutibhushon Bandopadhyay, Taranath Tantrik on screen as a web series. 

The series is based on various short stories written by Bibhutibhushon Bandopadhyay and his son, Taradas Bandopadhyay. Bibhutibhushon was a renowned scholar, a civil servant, a nature lover and a prolific writer. Despite being a rationalist, he was deeply interested by the pagan practices. Having spent much of his life in such spaces where the old practices were still active, he has written extensively about the paranormal in everyday life. He wrote only two short stories about the character. Much of Taranath’s life is displayed prominently through these two stories. The writer himself always tells the stories. He is a regular visitor at Taranath’s old house. Sometimes with a friend, sometimes alone. Every time, Taranath tells a story. After Bibhutibhushon’s death, his son began writing more stories about Taranath Tantrik. These fascinating stories make for the narrative of the series. 

Based in turn of the century Bengal, Taranath Tantrik (played by Indian American film and theatre actor, Jayant Kripalani) is a collection of fascinating stories providing an insight into the period narrated by a renowned tantric. These are stories of dark arts, mystery and magic. The stories all begin with a young writer, and his friend Kishori buying a packet of Passing Show cigarettes visiting Taranath. In lieu of the gift of cigarettes, Taranath, who lives with his pretty but strange daughter, Chari, will tell them a story from his rich repertoire. He has had an eventful life as an itinerant student and practitioner of Tantra. The writer and friend, being rationalists, have doubts about the authenticity of the stories. However, Taranath is a master storyteller, and takes them on a whirlwind trip of insane adventure every time. All episodes of Taranath Tantrik are streaming now. 

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