Very creative, artistic, informative .
A real moving theatre in a blog.
Congrats.
-B A Viveka Rai
Category: ಹಾಯ್! ಸಂಚಾರಿ
by Chetan
Sunday, April 8, ೨೦೦೭
Politics is not a new phenomenon. It has been existent since the days of Mahabharata. Thats what is depicted in the play ‘Dhareyolagina Raajakaarana” staged by Sanchari Theatre troupe. This is told from the point of view of Draupadi who is told to be the main reason for the Kurukshetra war to occur. She is shown to have been a victim of male dominated world and the politics surrounding it. Many instances are shown wherein Draupadi is shown as a woman on the receiving end of the male politics in the viel of following Dharma.
Draupadi is won by Arjuna after hitting the fish in the swayamvara is described as a commodity whom the paandavas have won. Arjuna tells his mother Kunti that they have brought something and Kunti asks them to share it among themselves not knowing the fact that what they have brought is not a commodity or a thing but a bride whom Arjuna has won. After their mother tells this, all the remaining paandavas develop an attraction towards Draupadi and claim that they too should have a share in her. Seeing all this Draupadi’s fears rise and she questions why she is being treated this way and Kunti convinces her that it is better that she accepts them all as her husbands despite what the society thinks since she should follow it to safegaurd Dharma.
Next when Arjuna brings Subhadra as his wife, Draupadi questions Kunti why Subhadra was not asked to be shared among the paandavas just like her and also questions if it was because of the fact that Subhadra was from Kunti’s family and hence there was favouritism towards her.
During the the game of dice between the paandavas and kauravas, she questions why a wife was used as a bet as if she was nothing but a commodity (again!!) for her husbands. She is very angered after she is disrobed infront of all the elders of the family and curses the kauravas. In an attempt to calm her down, Dhritarashtra offers her three wishes (as a bribe to save themselves??) using two of which she frees her husbands from slavery to protect her dharma as a wife.
i watched ‘kamalamani comedy kalyana’ today directed by N Mangala. it is a play no one should miss. it is a good comedy which i watched after suri’s ‘naa neenaadre nee naanenaa’
-G N Mohan
C E O
Mayflower Media House
“Watched too “Kamalamani comedy kalyana” yesterday. Congratulations for the excellent effort. My daughter (aged 8) enjoyed Varada and Kutaari (pavitra) very much. My family liked the play very much. Thanks for entertaining us.”
-Pradeep Pai H
Sudee Networks Pvt Ltd
Bangalore
Ah! Champaji had called me. but i missed it due to some unavoidable reasons…
i am sad i missed a wonderful show.
- Abhaya Simha
Film Director
Started in 2004, Sanchari Theatre Troupe has been making steady strides in the Kannada theatre world. The founder of Sanchari, N Mangala, was with the famous theatre group Rangayana for over 13 years. This, she feels has helped her establish her own setup in Bengaluru. She believes that her theatre group is an empty space where any talented young actor can perform. “When I started, I was alone. Today, I have a dedicated group of young artistes willing to experiment with all theatre styles,” she contends.
Sanchari’s first play Urmila was where Mangala acted and directed, and very well received by the audience. The story of Lakshman’s wife had never been told in such detail and Mangala brought out some of the characteristics of this insignificant character through this play. Written by HS Venkatesh Murthy, this imaginary tale strikes a chord with Mangala who believes there are parallels with the famous Thimakka of Karnataka. “I wish young girls would get role models like this simple village lady who planted trees!” says Mangala.
In 2005, Sanchari produced Dhareyolagina Rajakarana, a play based on the Mahabharata characters Kunti and Draupadi. “The two sit and talk and discuss politics. No one has ever depicted the mother in law and daughter-in-law of this epic like this. It was very challenging.”
Arahanta is another Sanchari production which was staged last week to a full house. Again, dealing with little-known episodes from the Mahabharata, this play is staged in a contemporary setting. The response has been good for all the plays, feels Mangala. Sanchari is all set to stage their latest offering Kamalamani Comedy Kalyana. Written by S Ramanatha and directed by Mangala, this comedy is sure to be appreciated by theatre lovers.
