Exploring stories of Shoorpanakha and Shakuni through a modern lens

The play revolves around the lives of the protagonists, a man and a woman, who are both waiting for a delayed flight in a small-town airport lounge.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Ennui Collective, a performance and media art collective based in Bengaluru, opened its new play Thus Spake Shoorpanakha, So Said Shakhuni, in March. The team is gearing up to present a couple more shows of the production with one show on April 6, at Atta Galatta, Indiranagar at 7 p.m., and two shows at Jagriti Theatre, Whitefield, on April 13, at 3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. 

Modern setting

For audiences over the age of 16, the play revolves around the lives of the protagonists, a man and a woman, who are both waiting for a delayed flight in a small-town airport lounge. The woman provokes the man into conversation, setting off a series of narratives that feature two characters from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata: Shoorpanakha and Shakuni. Their lives and experiences are set in the context of this century, indicating that the stories of power, ambition and revenge span history and myth, says the synopsis of the play.

Written by Poile Sengupta, the play is directed by Samragni Dasgupta and performed by Jimmy Xavier and Urvashi H.V. Speaking to The Hindu, Samragni said that the play struck a chord with her when she read it at the Drama Library by Bhasha Centre for the first time. “The play was funny, it was sarcastic, humourous, nuanced, and it was talking about some very important things. It felt like the play encompasses things that are really relevant today while also using mythological characters, which made it very relatable. The play is a new dimension to modern day problems,” she added. 

“The conversations around sexuality, politics, war, the idea of agency, all of these aspects came out through a very interesting dynamic in this play, which is why I was very excited to direct it,” Samragni explained.  

Many versions

Talking about bringing two epics into the play, Mahabharata and Ramayana, Samragni said that at her home, growing up with these mythologies, especially Ramayana, was always seen through a feminist perspective. “There are so many versions of these epics, especially Ramayana. But with this play, it gives you a whole new set of perspectives of what these epics could be,” she said.

The director said that Poile Sengupta has given them a very beautiful space to play around in, through this script. “Poile’s script helped us understand new dimensions of these two characters Shoorpanakha and Shakuni. I enjoyed looking at these characters through a different lens. In this play we do not just look at Shoorpanakha as a victim, or Shakuni as a warmonger or a cunning politician. The script helps us see why they did what they did, and the impact of what they did. An equal stage presence was already given by the playwright for these characters, which became easier for me to explore,” said Samragni.  

Tickets for the shows are available on BookMyShow and at the venues.