Artists during rehearsal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Hyderabad-based Nishumbit School of Drama in collaboration with Rasaranjini Theatre Group paid tribute to playwright-actor (late) Girish Karnad by staging his mystery play. Nagamandala In Telugu. Director Ram Mohan Holagundi recalls: “We first staged the play in English in 2004 and much later – 19 years later – in Telugu at our center in 2023. It is exciting to stage it for a larger audience now at Ravindra Bharati Is.” A musical presentation with two recorded Kannada songs, Nagamandala It is presented by a team of 33 cast and crew. The artistes, including two trainees from Christ College, Bengaluru, have been practicing for two months for this workshop production.

folk tale

Ram Mohan Holagundi Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Karnad’s film is based on a Kannada folk tale set in a rural setting. Nagamandala The hero focuses on the queen. After marrying Appanna by her parents, Rani faces neglect in her husband’s home. In an attempt to seduce her cheating husband, she tries to drug him by mixing love root in his food, but accidentally falls into an anthill. A naga (cobra) in the anthill consumes the love potion, takes the form of Appanna and visits the queen’s bed at night.

After some time, Rani becomes pregnant and her husband Apanna accuses her of having an extramarital affair. The drama reaches its climax when the village panchayat leader proposes a difficult test, a test that will find out the truth. As events unfold, Rani finally gets respect.

Based on folk tale. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The play is unrealistic and fictional, but it hasn’t lost its appeal, says Ram. “Girish Karnad wrote the play in 1988 but its charm still remains. The play has gone to a different level because of its popularity, but it continues to attract theatre audiences whenever and wherever it is staged.

Artists during rehearsals. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ram, who has directed the play in English, is hopeful that its Telugu version will also cast a spell on theater lovers in Hyderabad. “There are some non-Telugu speaking actors in our production, but they all worked hard to pronounce each Telugu word correctly.”

Nishumbita School of Drama and Rasaranjini will present Nagamandala in Telugu at Ravindra Bharati on May 24, 6.30pm. Tickets 50 Available on bookmyshow.com