Act 1

        With the end of the dramatized voice overture , which gave an expression to the unending sufferings of the doomed world , its creatures seem to move in the shadow of death. The air is dark , deep and sad , and it suggests the murk and menace of the earth without fire. All men and women are toiling for their existence and weeping for their dead ones. It is a land in bondage of fierce nature . By and by even amidst hardships and unending sufferings , a gleam of hope arises and an urge to break the bondage is expressed by female voices. The community now complains that the fate is unbearable and it dreams of a better world flooded with spring light.

Act 2

        Dressed in white , the Ginipathi ( Prometheus )stands in the company of Gods expresses his anguish and sympathy towards the mankind. His brooding on the fate of mankind is being criticized by all other Gods who still want to keep the right of fire for themselves only. The kindhearted Prometheus finds himself alone and bewildered. Having sung his verses as an aria , he scornfully looks at the complacence of Gods. He slowly passes out of sight. His radiant humanism stands against the power of Gods.

Act 3

        Leader of the primitive tribe , a vigorous and brave man , Soma appears with staring eyes and long disheveled hair, and he is dressed in skins of wild animals . His girdle and feather cap makes him a handsome primitive Romeo. He now sings a long aria to express his strong faith in man and his right to have a better life. He sounds an uncompromising enemy of destiny. He say that man is the golden pillar on which the whole world rests. The  responsibility  of  man is so great and even before the advancing polar bear he cannot retreat. As the   suffering cannot be endured anymore and the humans as well have a right to own fire, they must seek the privilege to use fire , which should be granted by Gods to end the suffering. In order to persuade them to grant fire ,Gods must be challenged by destroying the doors of their temples. Although a commotion is created by his determination to own fire , a gleam of hope eventually become a passion. The intention to enjoy fire and be alive in a colourful landscape of spring with flowers and rays of light, is expressed by the chorus.

        The   wife of Soma who has all virtues of a traditional woman now enters into a dramatic duet with a wild and ardent passion to make him sober and prompts her to be with her forever . Her passionate appeal to him is to remain forever as a faithful husband .She begs his love , confidence and wealth by reminding him the intimate moments of their family life. The disillusioned husband remains silent for a moment and woefully sings to tell her that their nuptial bed is now cold as a dead body as their is no fire in the house. Anything cannot be make worthwhile unless fire is discovered.

Act 4

        In the great hall of heaven , the Gods meet and stressed by taking their male voices to the heights of eloquence , the significance of Divine Law and obedience . They sense an impending danger and end their dialogue in  confusion. Ginipathi  appears before them and implore  to grant the right of fire to the mankind. Gods exclaim in horror and totally  refruse the Promethean request.

Act 5

        Here comes the White Boy , a messenger runs between the heaven and the earth .He looks a brisk operatic figure bounces alone like a gold cask of human fortune. He comes running to the excited men and women and reports that he has seen the Goddess of Fire in the mountains. He gleefully gives them a sound musical news. He looks like a divine child come to the earth to steal the hearts of mothers. Hearing the news , Soma understands that his wish is about to be fulfilled. He decides to go to the mountains to meet the Goddess. For a moment all men and women stupefied. His wife who is dying of love for him tries to stop him. The man also begins a sad and loving melody and throws himself before his beloved wife. Then his own aria on the responsibility and commitment for the mankind echoed and he decides to go to mountains. When he departs with the White Boy , the Dreaming Woman sings ardently on the fascination of fire hitherto forbidden to use by mortals.

Act 6

        Fire Goddess appears ( soprano)  and descends from the mountains in the  form of fire and   a flame- like attire. After a rapt appearance , she begins the ballad of fire , an intensely thrilling aria, in which both the theme of fire and the unconditional love for the mankind are very prominent. She dances in wild exaltation and her musical and dramatic variations are fascinating. She behaves like a beautiful daughter of mankind. The human community both shocked and thrilled to  see no equal figure among them , respond cautiously in the beginning and then dance in ecstasy.

        She presents the gift of fire  to the mankind. Gradually the tumult dies down and the amorous dance turns into a thanksgiving choir . All praise her for the priceless gift. Then comes the bountiful sunshine , making of iron tools , change of seasons , first harvest and the appearance of girls in paddy fields. In the open fields the youths and maidens of the village are dancing.

Act 7

         Court of Gods penalises the Ginipathi for presenting fire to mortals. Now the heaven looks like battered and shattered by a violent storm.The pleading voice of Ginipathi drowns in the thunderous voices of raging Gods. 

Act 8

        The broken-spirited White Boy comes running to inform the fate of there hero - god GinipathiSoma invites his people to go in search of Ginipathi along with the Fire Goddess. They all refuse and betrays their own benefactor and the hero god. who is being ruthlessly punished by the Gods. Fire  Goddess weeps for her brother and abandons the human community with an anguished farewell. The news brought by the White Boy shatters her peace of mind.

Finale

        The Opera ends with a Brechtian speech ,which questions the mediocre attitude of people. The chorus raise the voices in solemn chant to blend the mood of a funeral possession with that of a politically motivated discourse.