National School of Drama (Sikkim) Repertory’s Bhasa-bharatam, at Academy

A Charan and Bhatta, among the oldest mediums of Indian storytelling, narrate Bhasa’s five Sanskrit plays on the Mahabharata in Hindi. Asif Ali’s script begins with Bhatta questioning Pancharatram, in which a condition is placed whereby if Drona finds the Pandavas living in exile within five nights, Duryodhana will give half the kingdom to the Pandavas as gurudakshina. Next comes Dutavakyam, in which Krishna as a messenger makes a proposal for peace before the war, which Duryodhana rejects. After that, Karnabharam begins, where Karna fights despite having lost his armour to Indra’s deceit before the war. Then in DutaGhatotkacha, Ghatotkacha brings Krishna’s message to stop the war, but again that proposal is turned down. Finally, in Urubhangam, Bhima crushes Duryodhana’s thigh at Krishna’s behest, following which Duryodhana’s self-realization leads to his ascension. Directed by Piyal Bhattacharya.