Shilpee Theatre is staging ‘Sickle Cell’, directed by Sumit Bhandari and written by Gunaraj Pokharel, until May 11.

Through two families, the play presents the stories of the Tharu community, where land politics deprive people of their basic necessities. Using ‘Sickle’ as a metaphor for the people’s struggles, the scenes and dialogue explore the consequences of social disparities.

The setting and characters bring Haliya pratha, also known as the slave system in the Tharu community, to the stage. One of the characters, Meena, resists this social construct, including the problems it imposes on the Sukumbasi community.

“Land politics has given birth to many practices, globally, as well as in our country—slaves, kamaiyas, kamlaris, haliyas,” writes Director Sumit Bhandari in the play’s description. “In the story, despite the government’s compensation for landless people, characters like Hema and Ramvishwas are forced to live in their owner’s house.”

The team consists of 27 members, including set design by Prabin Khatiwada, sound managed by Dev Neupane, and stage management under the supervision of Sangita Uraawa.

Author Gunaraj Pokharel writes, “‘Sickle Cell’ is a rebellion against the exploitation and immorality carried out by those who consider themselves to be high-class elites—those under the disguise of superficial social service and charity in the name of ritual and tradition. This is the story of a new generation’s attempt to reform the social sickle cell.”

Sickle Cell

When: Until May 11

Where: Shilpee Theatre, Battisputali

Time: 5:15 pm onwards

Entry: Rs300 to Rs1,000