KATHMANDU, Feb 22: Shilpee Theater is all set to showcase a mythological play ‘Yayati’ from Thursday. The one-and-half-hour long play directed by Tanka Chaulagain has its roots in the mythological story of King Yayati from Mahabharata.
King Yayati, son of King Nahusha and his wife Ashokasundari, is married to Devayani, Asura’s priest Sukracharya’s daughter.
Yayati also marries Sharmishtha, upon Sukracharya’s request on the condition to not have physical relationship with her.
‘Yayati’ show stealer at ShilpeeTheater
He is later cursed by his father-in-law upon hearing his daughter complain about him having a relationship with the mistress. The curse, however, can be reversed if someone takes away his age in order for him to live a long life.
Director Chaulagain has been working with a team of eight, reading and rehearsing the play, for the past one and half months.
Chaulagain has arranged the play based on Indian writer Girish Karnard’s adaptation of the myth. For the past seven months, he had been working to translate and adapt the play for the Nepali audience, with a different opening.
“’Yayati’ is a strong play. It depicts human behavior and carries a strong message about how a person should not run behind materialistic achievements. We also did a play ‘Madhavi’ (Yayati and Devyani’s daughter) last year and it was well-received. After that, many recommended me to do ‘Yayati’. With this play, we hope to make some changes in people’s behaviors or at least spark the similar discussions that had out-broken post-Madhavi,” said Chaulagain.
The play will be showcased until March 17 everyday (except Tuesdays) from 5 pm at Shilpee Theater, Battisputali.
